Is herpes curable? – Your Health

Herpes is an infectious disease that has no cure, as there is no antiviral medicine capable of permanently eliminating the virus from the body. However, there are several medications that help alleviate symptoms, speed up recovery and can even prevent a new crisis.

A cure for herpes cannot be achieved for genital herpes nor for cold sores as they are caused by the same type of virus, the Herpes Simplexwith type 1 causing oral herpes and type 2 causing genital herpes.

Read too: Herpes: what it is, symptoms, types, transmission and treatment

Although there is no cure, many cases of herpes do not present any symptoms, as the virus remains dormant for many years, and a person can live without ever knowing they are infected with herpes. However, as the virus is in the body, this person is at risk of passing the virus to others.

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Why is there no cure for herpes?

The herpes virus is difficult to cure because when it enters the body it can remain dormant for a long time, not causing any type of response from the immune system.

Furthermore, the DNA of this virus is very complex, which makes it very difficult to create a medicine capable of eliminating it, unlike what happens with other types of simpler viruses such as mumps or measles, for example.

How to identify herpes

To identify herpes, you must carefully observe the affected area. It may be tingling, uncomfortable or itchy for a few days, before the wound appears, until the first air bubbles appear, surrounded by a red border, which is painful and very sensitive.

Laboratory diagnosis is made by analyzing the presence of the herpes virus microscopically in a scraping made from the wound, but it is not always necessary. Most doctors can identify herpes just by looking at the sore.

After a few days of the herpes sore appearing, it begins to dry on its own, forming a thinner, yellowish crust, until it disappears completely, around 20 days. Learn how to identify the symptoms of herpes.

Medicines used in treatment

Although there is no cure for herpes, there are medications that can be used to treat an outbreak more quickly. The most used medicine is Acyclovir, which is an antiviral that is capable of weakening the virus, making it stop causing changes to the skin.

However, it is also important to keep the region very clean and dry, as well as correctly hydrated. See other care and available forms of treatment.

How transmission happens

Since herpes has no cure, the person who has the virus always has a chance of passing the virus on to others. However, this risk is greater if there are blisters and sores on the skin caused by herpes, as the virus can be passed through the liquid released by these blisters.

Some of the most common ways to transmit herpes include kissing someone with herpes sores, sharing eating utensils or glasses, touching the liquid released by herpes blisters or having sex without a condom, for example.