We hear scare stories all the time of how the sexually transmitted disease herpes is permanent and never goes away. Unfortunately this is true, and while the symptoms are very treatable many of us never really find out exactly why there is no herpes cure, even in the highly advanced scientific age that we live in.

The reason why there is no herpes cure is that herpes is a virus (also known as HV1 or HV2 depending on which strain is being referred to). Viruses cause disease by first entering the body and then invading cells, taking them over as a 'host' and causing them to behave in a different way than they would naturally. They do this because viruses are unable to multiply by themselves (as bacteria do) and once they have invaded bodily cells it's impossible to have a drug that can access them and kill them.

This is why, when you have influenza, a cold or gastroenteritis the only advice a doctor can give is to 'rest, take painkillers if you have a temperature and drink plenty of fluids'. Each of these things help support the one thing that might effectively cure a virus: the immune system.

Fortunately for a lot of people with herpes their immune system does act as a herpes cure. Unfortunately for others their immune system simply isn't strong enough to kill all the virus cells within the body and it takes over as the herpes disease. It can present in a variety of ways, for instance headaches, rashes on the upper thighs, neuralgia and painful blisters on the genitals. Stressful events such as the death of a relative, moving house or changing jobs can cause a flare up of herpes because the immune system takes a knock. At these times it may be worth looking into a natural herpes cure that works by boosting your immune system, such as goji berries or a two week course of echinacea.

If you have recently been diagnosed with herpes then it's important to understand exactly why there is no herpes cure instead of searching and becoming disappointed. What's even more important to understand is that the symptoms of herpes are also very treatable and by taking the right course of action many people don't even notice it's there. You should visit your doctor for topical cream to soothe genital blisters and any rashes you have. Painkillers may ease headaches and neuralgia while there are some natural remedies and even anti viral drugs that can help protect against the onset of an outbreak you feel is coming.

Herpes is, at present, an incurable sexually transmitted disease. Scientists and medical experts are working hard to find a cure, but by its very nature as a virus this is incredibly difficult to do. Considering there are such top quality treatments for any unpleasant symptoms that sufferers experience this shouldn't become too much of a problem, but perhaps just a little bit of a nuisance, when outbreaks occur.

Stan Tian

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