home
RSS
February 25th, 2010
02:33 PM ET

When will we see a herpes cure?

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Lloyd Bartley, Bowling Green, Kentucky

“How close are scientists to developing a cure for herpes, figuratively speaking will we be seeing a break through in 10, 20, or even 30 years?”

Answer:

Well, Lloyd, there is good news and bad news on the herpes front. The good news: Researchers have made serious strides and now better understand the mechanism behind herpes outbreaks. The bad news: There is very little funding for that research.

After receiving your question we reached out to a leading herpes expert, Bryan Cullen, the director at the Center for Virology at Duke University. Cullen is hopeful that a cure for herpes could come within 10 years, once funding hurdles are crossed.

Nearly one in five people over age 12 in the U.S. is affected by herpes. It is caused by a virus - either the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both strains can cause genital herpes, but HSV-1 usually infects the mouth and produces cold sores.

Despite funding challenges, Cullen and his team are inching closer to a cure. They conducted a study recently that identified the pathway herpes takes as it infects. They now know how herpes embeds itself into the cells and how it eludes treatment. Now that they have honed in on the physiology of the disease - and its triggers - researchers believe they are steps closer to creating drugs that could cure herpes.

While we wait for a cure, there are drugs out there that can at least suppress herpes. Three antiviral drugs: acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are commonly recommended to quell outbreaks. A physician might recommend taking these drugs when an outbreak occurs to quiet symptoms; or taking them continuously to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak.

And of course the best way to avoid spreading herpes is to abstain from sex, but if you are sexually active, engage in safe-sex practices such as using condoms.

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.


Filed under: Expert Q&A • Sex • Virus

soundoff (8,772 Responses)
  1. Lucas Collis

    Great site. Cheers for posting.

    April 19, 2021 at 11:19 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. ed treatment tablets

    erectile rings https://canadaerectiledysfunctionpills.com/ erectile tissue

    April 19, 2021 at 11:25 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. ed over the counter cvs

    erectile function after prostatectomy https://canadaerectiledysfunctionpills.com/ erectile disorder icd 10

    April 19, 2021 at 11:29 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Meridith Magruder

    Very good site,thank you very much for your time in writing the posts.

    https://www.pgslotgamestop.com

    April 19, 2021 at 11:39 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. aktif takipçi satın al

    Türk, gerçek, aktif ve en güvenilir instagram takipçi satın al.

    https://maps.google.tn/url?q=https://takipcisepette.com

    April 19, 2021 at 12:20 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. cheap vardenafil

    vardenafil vs tadalafil vs viagra which gives better erection? https://vegavardenafil.com/ vardenafil hcl 20mg tab

    April 19, 2021 at 13:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Karisa Ritell

    Great site. Thanks for showing us.

    April 19, 2021 at 13:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. buying canadian cialis

    cialis on line purches canadian pharmacy https://canadacialisstore.com/ cialis viagra combination canadian pharmacy

    April 19, 2021 at 13:55 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Vern Studdard

    Very good site,thank so much for your time in writing the posts.

    April 19, 2021 at 13:57 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Milo Redondo

    Great site. Thanks for posting.

    https://pgslot.blog

    April 19, 2021 at 13:59 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. Trina Bostelmann

    Great blog. Thanks for showing us.

    https://pgslot.blog

    April 19, 2021 at 14:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Milton Persaud

    Great blog. Thanks for posting.

    https://pgslot.blog

    April 19, 2021 at 14:05 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. hMWgTDKuCl

    high school homework help websites glass castle essay writing custom usb driver doing homework is good/not good for you

    April 19, 2021 at 14:56 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. sildenafil tablet brand name in india

    sildenafil drug https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ sildenafil soft tablets

    April 19, 2021 at 15:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. where to get sildenafil online

    cheap sildenafil citrate uk https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ sildenafil 50 mg coupon

    April 19, 2021 at 15:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. หน้าหลักw88

    I visited many blogs however the audio feature for audio
    songs existing at this site is truly marvelous.

    April 19, 2021 at 15:25 | Report abuse | Reply
  17. nba news

    Express Your Love For Soccer With Football Cufflinks giày bóng rổ Every sport has specific way of promoting its game. Football fans are famous for wearing stuff like scarves and hats along with many fans decide either to make funny outfits also. The type that you with regard to needs to be able to light and soft in order to do not get side tracked. There are well known brands tend to be known for designing ideal in comparison to its sports supplies. Rather opt for such brands as opposed to scarves are usually sold by the street four corner.

    http://johnathangykm17392.actoblog.com/2499122/ti-so-bong-ro

    April 19, 2021 at 15:29 | Report abuse | Reply
  18. Ronald Wheldon

    Hi, This is great tips for natural hair which is helpful for me. Thanks for sharing.

    https://www.hulkshare.com/innerbeautychallenge

    April 19, 2021 at 15:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  19. average perscription pills taken by 65 year old canadian?

    canadian diet pills https://canadapillstorex.com/ canadian pills online

    April 19, 2021 at 17:23 | Report abuse | Reply
  20. thedo

    There are some other traditions that always accompany the Navy football team xem bong da truc tuyến For example, the "E" Bell rings whenever Navy beats Army most of the three seasons of divertissement. This bell is from the bridge of USS Enterprise, a famed World War II aircraft carrier. It really has been a tradition since 1950. The Gokokuji Bell is a replica with a bell which brought into the United States by Commodore Matthew Perry in 1854. The original bell, which was donated to your Academy by his widow, was retur ned to Okinawa in 1988. This bell is also rung each time the team scores a football victory over their Army rivalry. This bell sits in front of Bancroft Hall in Annapolis.

    https://www.posts123.com/post/1505944/great-financial-aid-with-positive-football-fundraising-ideas

    April 19, 2021 at 19:05 | Report abuse | Reply
  21. average perscription pills taken by 65 year old canadian?

    canadian pharmacies ed pills https://canadapillstorex.com/ canadian weight loss pills

    April 19, 2021 at 21:00 | Report abuse | Reply
  22. mdaBBwCnXw

    the effects of birth order essay critical essay help higher help i can't focus on my homework winston churchill primary homework help

    April 19, 2021 at 21:36 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. video of transurethral alprostadil admimistering

    alprostadil muse doesn't work https://alprostadildrugs.com/ where to buy alprostadil gel

    April 19, 2021 at 21:50 | Report abuse | Reply
  24. w88 ทาง-เข้า

    Hi colleagues, good post and pleasant urging commented here, I
    am in fact enjoying by these.

    April 19, 2021 at 22:42 | Report abuse | Reply
  25. w88 ทางเข้า มือถือ

    Normally I do not learn post on blogs, but I would like
    to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so!
    Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks,
    quite nice post.

    April 19, 2021 at 22:53 | Report abuse | Reply
  26. หวย

    I like what you guys are usually up too. This type of clever work and exposure!
    Keep up the terrific works guys I've you guys to my personal blogroll.

    April 20, 2021 at 01:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  27. Moon Dornan

    Really good blog,thank you very much for your effort in writing the posts.

    https://pgslot.blog

    April 20, 2021 at 01:29 | Report abuse | Reply
  28. tadalafil 30 mg

    tadalafil 40 mg daily https://elitadalafill.com/ 40 mg tadalafil

    April 20, 2021 at 01:42 | Report abuse | Reply
  29. canadian pharmacy 5 mg daily cialis

    buy cialis online canadian https://canadacialisstore.com/ cialis viagra combination canadian pharmacy

    April 20, 2021 at 02:13 | Report abuse | Reply
  30. Lawrence Worth

    Very good blog,thank so much for your effort in writing the posts.

    https://www.pgslot.blog

    April 20, 2021 at 02:41 | Report abuse | Reply
  31. Thomas Lambertson

    Very good site,thank you very much for your effort in writing the posts.

    https://www.pgslotgamestop.com

    April 20, 2021 at 03:26 | Report abuse | Reply
  32. Johnie Gunkelman

    Very good blog,thank so much for your effort in writing the posts.

    April 20, 2021 at 04:01 | Report abuse | Reply
  33. Vonda Shunnarah

    Great site. Thanks for posting.

    https://pgslotgamestop.com

    April 20, 2021 at 05:02 | Report abuse | Reply
  34. Bethany Hermosillo

    Really good blog,thank you very much for your effort in writing the posts.

    https://pgslot.blog

    April 20, 2021 at 05:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  35. patricia

    I was diagnosed of HERPES Virus in 2018 and I have tried all I can to get cured but all to know avail, until i saw a post in a health forum about a herbalist man who prepare herbal medication to cure all kind of diseases including HERPES virus, at first i doubted if it was real but decided to give it a try , when i contact this herbalist and he prepared a HERPES herbal cure and sent it to me via UPS delivery company service, when i received this herbal treatment, he gave me step by directions on how to apply it, when i applied it as instructed, i was totally cured of this horrible disease within 18days of usage, i went to the hospital for a test and it was negative. I can tell to the public now that am now free from the horrible disease called herpes, all thanks to Dr.Vincent that is why I want to leave his email address and What's app contact just if you want to contact him for help. you reach this great herbal doctor via his email on (dr.vincentherbalhome6@gmail.com or you can what'sapp his mobile number +2349159559277 or go through his website https://drvincentherbalhom.wixsite.com/welcometodrvincenthe One thing I like about Dr Vincent is honesty. He is very polite with his customers, everything he told me was what he did. His herbal medicine are very affordable, effective, confidential.

    April 20, 2021 at 05:27 | Report abuse | Reply
  36. Youtube Blog

    Sosyal medya uygulamalarının en popüler uygulaması instagram için hemen takipçi satın al. İnstagram ucuz takipçi satın almak için websitemizi ziyaret et ve hemen en ucuz takipçi satın al.

    https://bit.ly/3szfAnE

    April 20, 2021 at 05:47 | Report abuse | Reply
  37. Russell Rohs

    Really good site,thank so much for your effort in writing the posts.

    https://pgslot.blog

    April 20, 2021 at 07:56 | Report abuse | Reply
  38. Judson Barabin

    cool site. Cheers for posting.

    https://pgslot.blog

    April 20, 2021 at 08:05 | Report abuse | Reply
  39. Karl Unglesbee

    cool blog. Thanks for showing us.

    https://www.pgslot.blog

    April 20, 2021 at 08:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  40. Casey Westall

    cool blog. Cheers for posting.

    https://pgslotgamestop.com

    April 20, 2021 at 08:14 | Report abuse | Reply
  41. Youtube Blog

    İnstagram türk takipçi satın almak ve hesabını popülerliğe ulaştırmak için, ucuz takipçi sitemizden güvenilir takipçi satın al.

    https://about.me/tiktokkesfet/

    April 20, 2021 at 09:00 | Report abuse | Reply
  42. Tina Statzer

    Great blog. Thanks for posting.

    https://pgslot.blog

    April 20, 2021 at 09:18 | Report abuse | Reply
  43. sildenafil 20 mg discount coupon

    sildenafil online free shipping https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ sildenafil online cheap

    April 20, 2021 at 10:25 | Report abuse | Reply
  44. Dominique Ellis

    I was diagnosed of HERPES Virus in 2018 and I have tried all I can to get cured but all to know avail, until i saw a post in a health forum about a herbalist man who prepare herbal medication to cure all kind of diseases including HERPES virus, at first i doubted if it was real but decided to give it a try , when i contact this herbalist and he prepared a HERPES herbal cure and sent it to me via UPS delivery company service, when i received this herbal treatment, he gave me step by directions on how to apply it, when i applied it as instructed, i was totally cured of this horrible disease within 18days of usage, i went to the hospital for a test and it was negative. I can tell to the public now that am now free from the horrible disease called herpes, all thanks to Dr.Vincent that is why I want to leave his email address and What's app contact just if you want to contact him for help. you reach this great herbal doctor via his email on (dr.vincentherbalhome6@gmail.com or you can what'sapp his mobile number +2349159559277 or go through his website https://drvincentherbalhom.wixsite.com/welcometodrvincenthe One thing I like about Dr Vincent is honesty. He is very polite with his customers, everything he told me was what he did. His herbal medicine are very affordable, effective, confidential.

    April 20, 2021 at 13:21 | Report abuse | Reply
  45. Ned Bokor

    cool blog. Cheers for showing us.

    https://pgslot.blog

    April 20, 2021 at 14:01 | Report abuse | Reply
  46. patricia

    I was diagnosed of HERPES Virus in 2018 and I have tried all I can to get cured but all to know avail, until i saw a post in a health forum about a herbalist man who prepare herbal medication to cure all kind of diseases including HERPES virus, at first i doubted if it was real but decided to give it a try , when i contact this herbalist and he prepared a HERPES herbal cure and sent it to me via UPS delivery company service, when i received this herbal treatment, he gave me step by directions on how to apply it, when i applied it as instructed, i was totally cured of this horrible disease within 18days of usage, i went to the hospital for a test and it was negative. I can tell to the public now that am now free from the horrible disease called herpes, all thanks to Dr.Vincent that is why I want to leave his email address and What's app contact just if you want to contact him for help. you reach this great herbal doctor via his email on (dr.vincentherbalhome6@gmail.com or you can what'sapp his mobile number +2349159559277 or go through his website https://drvincentherbalhom.wixsite.com/welcometodrvincenthe One thing I like about Dr Vincent is honesty. He is very polite with his customers, everything he told me was what he did. His herbal medicine are very affordable, effective, confidential.

    April 20, 2021 at 14:02 | Report abuse | Reply
  47. Lavinia Tuccio

    Very good site,thank you very much for your time in writing the posts.

    https://pgslot.blog

    April 20, 2021 at 14:04 | Report abuse | Reply
  48. Jackie Besemer

    Very good blog,thank you very much for your time in writing the posts.

    https://www.pgslotgamestop.com

    April 20, 2021 at 14:35 | Report abuse | Reply
  49. barcelona pink jerseys

    Admiring the persistence you put into your website and in depth information you offer.
    It's nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same out of date rehashed material.
    Great read! I've saved your site and I'm including your RSS feeds
    to my Google account.

    April 20, 2021 at 15:00 | Report abuse | Reply
  50. cialis on line purches canadian pharmacy

    is it safe to order cialis from canadian pharmacy https://canadacialisstore.com/ buy generic cialis, canadian

    April 20, 2021 at 16:24 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163

Leave a Reply to mark jane


 

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.

Advertisement
About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.