Herpes is an infection that results from either of the two types of herpes simplex virus. The symptoms may appear as oral herpes or genital herpes. Herpes can hide in the nerve cells for a long time before activating, which makes finding a cure challenging. Research on vaccines is ongoing.

Most people with herpes do not show symptoms, but the infection can also cause painful ulcers and blisters. Those without symptoms can still pass the infection to others.

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) typically causes oral herpes but may also cause genital herpes. People transmit HSV-1 through saliva.

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is a more common cause of genital herpes. A person might acquire HSV-2 through genitalia to genitalia contact, genitalia to mouth contact, or other forms of sexual contact.

Infection with HSV is very common. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that roughly half a billion people live with genital herpes globally, and several billion have an oral herpes infection.

This article reviews the reasons there is no cure for herpes, the progress on developing a cure, and the current treatment options.

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A person with herpes may experience no symptoms.

There is currently no cure or preventive treatment for herpes infection. If a person gets either form of herpes virus infection, they will have it for life, whether or not they experience symptoms.

Researchers have conducted several clinical trials investigating vaccines against herpes infection, but no commercially available vaccine is currently available.

Herpes is challenging to cure because of the nature of the virus. The HSV infection can hide away in a person’s nerve cells for long periods of time before reappearing and reactivating the infection.

Experts suggest that even if antiviral drugs destroy the active parts of the infection, it only takes a small amount of the virus to hide in the nerve cells and become dormant for the herpes virus to continue persisting in the body.

To find a treatment, scientists need to understand further the mechanism that enables the infection to hide. By learning more about this mechanism, they might be able to tackle the whole infection.

Some medications may reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms and lower the chances of passing the infection on to others. Current antiviral medications to treat herpes include:

Acyclovir is typically the first form of treatment for HSV infections. A doctor may treat a skin or mucous membrane infection with oral acyclovir provided the person has a healthy immune system.

For people with severe infections or compromised immune systems, the doctor may prescribe intravenous (IV) acyclovir. Possible side effects of acyclovir may impact the central nervous system or gastrointestinal tract, which runs from the mouth to the anus.

People with high levels of stress or trauma may experience more frequent recurrences of herpes. In this case, a doctor may advise psychotherapy and counseling.

Some home remedies, such as petroleum gel or essential oils, may alleviate the discomfort that herpes lesions cause, but they will not help reduce viral load.

Click here to learn more about the best home remedies for herpes.

A person can transmit HSV-1 when they have no symptoms. However, they are most contagious during an outbreak.

People with an HSV-2 infection can transmit genital herpes while experiencing no symptoms. HSV-2 is most contagious during an outbreak of sores.

People should abstain from sexual intercourse while experiencing symptoms. The correct use of condoms may help to reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes. They should also avoid oral contact with others or sharing objects that come into contact with saliva. This includes performing oral sex.

Pregnant people with symptoms of genital herpes should speak to a doctor, as there is a risk of neonatal herpes.

Neonatal herpes is where a pregnant person passes the infection on to their fetus before, during, or immediately after delivery. It is rare but can have severe consequences for the infant.

The WHO recognizes the need for further research into preventing and treating HSV.

Clinical trials are underway to search for an effective treatment. A new drug called pritelivir is currently undergoing clinical trials as a treatment for herpes symptoms. Experts believe pritelivir may be a useful alternative for people who cannot take acyclovir.

Scientists are currently studying potential vaccines in their search for a cure for herpes. However, according to a review of research published in 2022, no HSV vaccine has received FDA approval yet. This is despite eight decades worth of effort to develop a vaccine.

The researchers expressed hope that current developments of the mRNA vaccines due to COVID-19 may help in finding a solution sooner.

The following sections provide answers to frequently asked questions about herpes.

Is herpes contagious forever?

Herpes is a lifelong infection that has periods of flares or outbreaks and remission. A person can pass herpes to their partner at any time, though they have a higher chance when they have an outbreak. Medications can help reduce the risk of spread and reduce the occurrence of flares.

Is there any hope for a cure for herpes?

Medication has come a long way in helping to suppress herpes, and a cure may be possible in the future. According to a 2020 study looking at the effect of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-delivered meganucleases on mice, researchers were able to eliminate 90% of latent virus loads. If translated to humans, it would mean a significant reduction in shedding, lesion severity, and reactivation of the virus.

How do I know if I have herpes?

Symptoms typically appear within 2-12 days of initially having contact with someone who has it on their mouth or genitals. Blisters typically appear at the site where the virus entered the body, crust over after a few days, and then go away.

In some cases, a person may not realize they have it. However, if they experience any symptoms related to herpes, they should ask all of their recent sexual partners if they have or may have oral or genital herpes.

If an infection is possible, a person should consider seeing their doctor for diagnosis and testing.

HSV causes herpes and can affect the mouth or genitals. There is currently no cure for the virus, but treatments exist that can reduce the symptoms and infectiousness of the disease.

Scientists are researching vaccines or compounds that might cure herpes. However, there currently is no vaccine that can help prevent the spread of herpes, so a person should use appropriate protection and precautions when engaging in sexual activity with others.