# Herpes (HSV) Cure? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 14, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722 "2012-04-14T00:37:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/42 "2013-04-21T12:43:04Z")
Of course not. But as has been explained throughout this thread, a cure is a very difficult thing, because for long periods of time, the virus exists only as a stretch of DNA in the genome of your nerve cells. We don’t have anywhere near the technology required to go into your cells and selectively remove and destroy a specific sequence of DNA. The best we can do is try to squash outbreaks of the virus when it’s actively reproducing. And that’s what all the anti-herpes drugs out there do. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/43 "2013-04-21T18:21:37Z")
Besides which, if we ever do find a cure (or even a promising avenue towards a cure) for retroviruses, herpes would be a relatively low-priority target for it. Herpes is rather annoying, but HIV, for instance, kills. ---
**Author:** ![Esco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de053/32.png) [@Esco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esco)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/44 "2013-04-21T21:56:40Z")
There is a natural cure available online which I tried and which worked well for a cold sore I had on my lip. But I dont think I’m allowed to post the manufacturer, so maybe you wanna PM me. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/45 "2013-04-22T02:20:50Z")
I refer you to post #35. ---
**Author:** ![Esco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de053/32.png) [@Esco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esco)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/46 "2013-04-23T19:45:05Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > I refer you to post #35. I wouldnt have believed if my tests hadnt come back negative either ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/47 "2013-04-23T20:02:43Z")
> [@Esco](#): > > I wouldnt have believed if my tests hadnt come back negative either Of course your tests will come back negative for the virus once the current lesion has healed sufficiently. It doesn’t take any medication or treatment to make that happen. That’s the natural course of the disease. And your blood will most likely remain positive for the herpes virus antibody for the rest of your life, no matter what sorts of treatment you do take or don’t take. But 10-15% of folks do have their antibodies become undetectable eventually, again regardless of any or no treatment. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/48 "2013-04-23T21:37:44Z")
But, **Qadgop** , he said it was natural!! **Esco** , you can PM me the name of the manufacturer, I’m not scared to post it here for everyone to evaluate. I’m sure the cure will stand up to the scrutiny of a couple of internet message board folks. ---
**Author:** ![Esco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de053/32.png) [@Esco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esco)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/49 "2013-04-24T16:18:09Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Of course your tests will come back negative for the virus once the current lesion has healed sufficiently Nope, thats not true. Herpes virus is still detectable by blood tests even when it lays dormant > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > That’s the natural course of the disease No, it isnt > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > And your blood will most likely remain positive for the herpes virus antibody for the rest of your life, no matter what sorts of treatment you do take or don’t take. Thats the only part of your post thats true. Please dont seek a career in the medical field . ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/50 "2013-04-24T16:21:16Z")
> [@Esco](#): > > Please dont seek a career in the medical field :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/51 "2013-04-24T16:35:23Z")
> [@SanDiegoTim](#): > > Has everyone stopped looking for a cure? I have. I can confirm that years of heavy drinking don’t cure it, but frequency of occurence has gone way down. I feel like it’s been at least 2 years. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/52 "2013-04-24T16:39:17Z")
Oh, Esco. Lest you continue to make an ass of yourself, you should know that our good Qadgop is a practicing physician, and has been for decades, and knows more about herpes than anyone should have to. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/53 "2013-04-24T17:44:59Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Oh, Esco. Lest you continue to make an ass of yourself, you should know that our good Qadgop is a practicing physician, and has been for decades, and knows more about herpes than anyone should have to. Oh, Dr. **QtM** ’s knowledge of penis ailments isn’t limited to herpes, there’s also the dreaded [Bagel Dog.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=273825) Sorry, but that thread needs to be mentioned every so often ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/54 "2013-04-24T19:51:48Z")
> [@Esco](#): > > Nope, thats not true. Herpes virus is still detectable by blood tests even when it lays dormant > No, it isnt > Thats the only part of your post thats true. > > Please dont seek a career in the medical field \<\\> the HSV antibodies generally remain in the system, but the virus is rarely found except during an outbreak. That is indeed the natural course of HSV infections. Some incredibly complex assays can identify the viral genome intracellularly, but that’s just the genome, not a virus. And after 30 years as a physician, I am about ready to hang it up, having to argue constantly against all the new age unscientific unproven woo that is in constant need of debunking. You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/55 "2013-04-24T20:33:28Z")
Stick with it, **QtM**! Keep fighting the good fight. We’re with you. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/56 "2013-04-24T20:37:17Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > And after 30 years as a physician, I am about ready to hang it up, having to argue constantly against all the new age unscientific unproven woo that is in constant need of debunking. Considering his first post, he’s probably just a shill for one of those ripoff “natural cure-all” companies, rather than an actual True Believer. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/57 "2013-04-24T21:18:25Z")
But there’ve _got_ to be natural herbal herpes cures - there are YouTube videos!!! > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > And after 30 years as a physician, I am about ready to hang it up, having to argue constantly against all the new age unscientific unproven woo that is in constant need of debunking. Look at it this way - after all this time your comebacks are fast and devastatingly effective, like an ace pitcher throwing the heater past lower echelon minor league batters. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Esco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de053/32.png) [@Esco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esco)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/58 "2013-04-24T21:48:25Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > \<\\> > > the HSV antibodies generally remain in the system, but the virus is rarely found except during an outbreak. That is indeed the natural course of HSV infections. > > Some incredibly complex assays can identify the viral genome intracellularly, but that’s just the genome, not a virus. > > And after 30 years as a physician, I am about ready to hang it up, having to argue constantly against all the new age unscientific unproven woo that is in constant need of debunking. > > You’re welcome Okay, my blood tests came back negative for antibodies then. And my cold sores have never returned. I use to get outbreaks twice a year on average. Did you also know there’s a quick, easy cure for melanoma?! One of the following 3 should work, you have to try each one: 1. Apple cider vinegar 2. 35% hydrogen peroxide 3. iodine. See here: [Natural Remedies for Melanoma: Complementary Treatment Options](http://earthclinic.com/CURES/melanoma.html) A an old lady in my building got rid of her melanoma in 3 weeks by rubbing diluted H2O2 on her cancer 3 times daily. If you’re a doctor then you have probably been brainwashed by Big Pharma that only drugs will cure. This is complete nonsense!! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/59 "2013-04-24T21:50:04Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Look at it this way - after all this time your comebacks are fast and devastatingly effective, like an ace pitcher throwing the heater past lower echelon minor league batters. 🙂 But my rotator cuff tears are killing me! Both the infra and supraspinatus tendons are completely torn and retracted, the humeral head is riding up against the acromion every time I move my arm now, and there’s edema everywhere! Should I have the arthroscopic repair, or try an herbal salve on it? ---
**Author:** ![Esco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de053/32.png) [@Esco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esco)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/60 "2013-04-24T21:51:50Z")
Interview with man who cured his melanoma with iodine: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iExuoPS0Sps) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/61 "2013-04-24T21:54:40Z")
> [@Esco](#): > > Did you also know there’s a quick, easy cure for melanoma?! One of the following 3 should work, you have to try each one: > > 1. Apple cider vinegar > 2. 35% hydrogen peroxide > 3. iodine. > > See here: [Natural Remedies for Melanoma: Complementary Treatment Options](http://earthclinic.com/CURES/melanoma.html) > > A an old lady in my building got rid of her melanoma in 3 weeks by rubbing diluted H2O2 on her cancer 3 times daily. > > If you’re a doctor then you have probably been brainwashed by Big Pharma that only drugs will cure. This is complete nonsense!! **Esco** , did you even read the site you’re citing? Here’s what your own cite has to say about melanoma, in their very first paragraph: > [@](#): > > the sole effective cure is surgical resection of the primary tumor before it achieves a thickness greater than 1 mm When come back, bring evidence. Hint: youtube videos are not evidence. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722.md?page=4)