Can Herpes Simplex Be Treated?
Many of us are accustomed to taking antibiotics or other medications that will rids us of infection quickly. With virus-caused illnesses, however, a “cure” sometimes is not possible, and infections can linger for long periods. Herpes simplex virus has a complicated life cycle that enables it to persist within the body. The virus can be attacked, however, with medications called antiviral drugs. While these can’t rid the body of HSV, they help many people with herpes control the infection and keep symptoms to a minimum. Antiviral drugs can be taken daily in small doses to prevent herpes symptoms or can be taken in larger doses when signs and symptoms appear. For many years, people diagnosed with genital herpes had to cope with recurrent symptoms without the benefit of any medications able to target herpes itself. Beginning in 1985, however, the advent of antiviral medication in pills, capsules, or liquid formulations gave patients new options for gaining a measure of control over the in
