In general, speaking about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is kind of a mood-killer. However, the word"herpes" in particular invokes a particular kind of fear and paranoia. Despite the fact that genital herpes is quite common (it's the 5th most common STI in Singapore). Is there a cure for herpes?
No, there is not and that's the reason why it's highly stigmatized.
And have you ever gotten any closer to discovering one?
Here is what we found after chatting with experts.
What is herpes?
Oral is caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), and is the virus which causes cold sores. People with oral herpes normally get the virus as children by kissing relatives or friends.
By contrast, genital herpes is brought on by the herpes simplex virus Type two (HSV-2), that is typically transmitted via rectal, anal, or oral intercourse. HSV-2 has symptoms such as an outbreak of blisters on the genitals or rectum, but many folks may also be curable. Genital herpes can also be caused by HSV-1 through oral sex.
Why is there no treatment for herpes?
Nowadays, there's absolutely no cure for HSV-1 or even HSV-2, though people with both types of herpes can take antifungal medications such as Valtrex to control their symptoms and reduce their risk of transmitting the virus to their spouses.
For the past 80 years, however, scientists have been researching potential herpes vaccines. (Note: Although"treatment" and"vaccine" can be used interchangeably, they are not the same. In the event of herpes, a remedy would fully eliminate the herpes virus from the human body, even though a vaccine could treat or stop it.)
So far, scientists have tried to create two types of herpes vaccines: a preventative one, that protects you from getting infected in the first place; and also a therapeutic one, which might help manage symptoms from people who already have the illness and reduce the possibility of outbreaks greater than present antiviral medications available on the market. Yet they have had little luck.
The herpes virus is extremely complex
"We don't have a remedy for a whole good deal of items," she says, mentioning HIV and hepatitis as other cases.
Most viruses attack our cells and try to multiply once they enter our bodies. In conclusion , our immune system releases white blood cells and antibodies to neutralize the virus and make it less dangerous. Frequently, our immune systems can clear viruses out of our own bodies, meaning we are no longer infected.
But herpes is more complex than this, says Wald. Herpes"has figured out just how to live from the host despite the immune reaction," she explains.
To make things even more complex, the virus can lie dormant in our central nervous systems for a protracted period of time (this explains why individuals with herpes may go a few months without any flare-ups after a first outbreak, or never have any signs whatsoever ).
The simple fact that our immune systems do not find out how to protect us from herpes causes it incredibly difficult for scientists to produce a preventive vaccine. "It is very difficult to make a vaccine unless you know what kind of immune response you're trying to create to protect someone," Wald says. Contrary to other viruses like the human papillomavirus (HPV), for instance, researchers cannot inject a portion of the herpes virus into our bodies because of vaccine, making them create an antibody that fights back and prevents infection.
Luckily, current antifungal drugs can already decrease the recurrence of outbreaks by about 70 per cent, based on American Family Physician.
How close are we to a thriving herpes disorder?
Back in 2016, it appeared like we were on the cusp of a herpes vaccine once the bioscience company Genocea declared that it had completed phase two clinical trials to get a therapeutic vaccine named GEN-003.
But absence of funds killed the undertaking, a company spokesperson explained to MensHealth.com. In September 2017, the business stopped growth of GEN-003 since they didn't have enough money to pay for phase 3 clinical trials, that would have been needed to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The business is now focusing primarily on cancer study.
Will we ever get a herpes disorder?
Not for quite a while, at leastat the moment, there are no promising clinical trials to get a herpes vaccine.
Hansfield believes it is unlikely that investigators could soon develop into a herpes vaccine that would completely remove the virus from a person's system.
In terms of a preventative vaccine,"I'd be amazed if there was a HSV vaccine on the marketplace which prevents herpes in under 10 years," he says.
How to protect yourself from herpes
Besides not having sex, there is no 100% effective way to prevent herpes. It is possible to reduce the danger of contracting the disease using a condom, but even a condom is not foolproof, since the virus can be transmitted even when your spouse has no symptoms.
That said, if you or your partner has herpes, even taking antifungal drugs can significantly lessen the chances of transmission.
If you exhibit any of the symptoms of genital herpes, like cracked, red sores around the genitals or anus, then ask your doctor for a blood test to find HSV antibodies. Even in case you test negative, routine STI screening is very important to anyone who's sexually active, and free and affordable testing tools can be found on the CDC's website.