# 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:** 4
**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, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/62 "2013-04-24T21:57:35Z")
> [@Esco](#): > > 1. Apple cider vinegar > 2. 35% hydrogen peroxide > 3. iodine. :dubious: Seriously? And why do people always cite apple cider vinegar? I mean, there are tons of other vinegars that will do exactly the same thing - make things acidic and tasty. ---
**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, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/63 "2013-04-24T21:58:20Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > **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: > > When come back, bring evidence. Hint: youtube videos are not evidence And why wouldnt it be evidence?? 2 people I know have cured melanoma, the lady in my building and the guy in YT video. What more evidence do you need?? (and please dont say peer-reviewed studies) ---
**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, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/64 "2013-04-24T22:03:47Z")
> [@Esco](#): > > And why wouldnt it be evidence?? 2 people I know have cured melanoma, the lady in my building and the guy in YT video. > > What more evidence do you need?? (and please dont say peer-reviewed studies) Of course I’ll say “peer-reviewed studies”. That’s what science is based on. That’s what eliminated smallpox, found effective treatments for TB and syphilis, and in other fields, built the internet, launched satellites, and gave us digital watches. If you don’t believe in science, just say so. ---
**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, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/65 "2013-04-24T22:07:08Z")
Well I would argue using H2O2 **is** science, but thats just me. Also you can still use H2O2 on melanoma even if its at the advanced stage. I dont wanna sound mean Mercotan, but you’ve been completely brainwashed by big Pharma. And why would large corporations fund peer-reviewed studies anyways if iodine costs less then 10 bucks a bottle?? There’s no money in it, and that entire industry revolves around $$$$ . ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/66 "2013-04-24T22:14:07Z")
> [@Esco](#): > > Well I would argue using H2O2 **is** science, but thats just me. Yes, that’s definitely just you. > [@](#): > > I dont wanna sound mean Mercotan, but you’ve been completely brainwashed by big Pharma. Don’t worry, you certainly don’t sound mean. > [@](#): > > And why would large corporations fund peer-reviewed studies anyways if iodine d costs less then 10 bucks a bottle?? There’s no money in it, and that entire industry revolves around $$$$ And with that last non sequitur quote in my rearview mirror, I’m moving on to more rational discourses involving science, rationality, and hopefully wanton women. ---
**Author:** ![Esco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de053/32.png) [@Esco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esco)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/67 "2013-04-24T22:20:32Z")
Wanton women are good 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/68 "2013-04-24T22:26:28Z")
> [@Esco](#): > > Did you also know there’s a quick, easy cure for melanoma?! One of the following 3 should work, you have to try each one: > > 1. Apple cider vinegar > 2. 35% hydrogen peroxide > 3. iodine. Oh, for fuck’s sake. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/69 "2013-04-24T22:37:26Z")
> [@Esco](#): > > And why would large corporations fund peer-reviewed studies anyways if iodine costs less then 10 bucks a bottle?? > There’s no money in it, and that entire industry revolves around $$$$ Easy. Make an even better, refined, targeted version and patent it. Everyone complains about why no one would study an herbal remedy for the same reason, but we have tamoxifen and digoxin and aspirin and various other plant-derived medicines, and tons more are being researched every day. ---
**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, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/70 "2013-04-24T23:04:46Z")
> [@Esco](#): > > I dont wanna sound mean Mercotan Isn’t that a line from a Ramones song? ---
**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 25, 2013, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/71 "2013-04-25T00:08:27Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > :dubious: Seriously? > > And why do people always cite apple cider vinegar? I mean, there are tons of other vinegars that will do exactly the same thing - make things acidic and tasty. Yeah, but only cider vinegar unleashes the awesome power of apples. Hey, Deng Xiaoping died! ---
**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 25, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/72 "2013-04-25T00:22:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **Esco** : > > Okay, my blood tests came back negative for antibodies then. You realize that this would be the _opposite_ of a cure, right? Antibodies are how your immune system fights viral infections. The presence of antibodies means that your immune system has met the enemy, studied it, and learned its weaknesses, and is now better-prepared to fight against it. In many cases, it actually means that it’s _so_ well-prepared that it’s now impossible for you to get the disease again: That’s how vaccines work. If a treatment somehow managed to eliminate the antibodies from your blood, all that would mean is that you’re now more vulnerable to the disease than you were before you used the treatment. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/73 "2013-04-25T00:29:50Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > You realize that this would be the _opposite_ of a cure, right? Antibodies are how your immune system fights viral infections. The presence of antibodies means that your immune system has met the enemy, studied it, and learned its weaknesses, and is now better-prepared to fight against it. In many cases, it actually means that it’s _so_ well-prepared that it’s now impossible for you to get the disease again: That’s how vaccines work. If a treatment somehow managed to eliminate the antibodies from your blood, all that would mean is that you’re now more vulnerable to the disease than you were before you used the treatment. careful - he might learn something. ---
**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 25, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/74 "2013-04-25T00:32:05Z")
> [@simster](#): > > careful - he might learn something. That’s just the risk you take if you hang around here long enough. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/75 "2013-04-25T00:35:12Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > That’s just the risk you take if you hang around here long enough. Thank pharma that there is no cure… ---
**Author:** ![clearlsky1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@clearlsky1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clearlsky1)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/76 "2013-05-03T20:40:54Z")
I was wondering if H2O2 might work in treating/curing herpes. I guess the idea behind it is that viruses (whether in nerve cells or other) can’t withstand high oxygen environments and by drinking H2O2 diluted in water over a course of time you oxygenate your cells and kill/weaken the virus. There is another forum where people posts heir results about trying this and mostly they are all positive. There are a few doctors on this forum, could you guys comment and possibly explain why this will not work? or whether it is possible… ---
**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:** [May 3, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/77 "2013-05-03T21:22:06Z")
Won’t work for numerous reasons already discussed. The virus lives as a DNA strand inside of nerve cells. You can’t eradicate it without killing the cells. Besides that, drinkng H2O2 won’t “oxygenate” your cells. That doesn’t even make sense. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/78 "2013-05-03T23:38:30Z")
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent, but will have virtually no effect on healthy living cells due to plentiful amounts of the enzyme catalase, which turns hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This is why we see bubbles when we put hydrogen peroxide on the skin. In addition, due to the pesky fact that skin is, you know, intact, there is no clear way for it to penetrate into the nerve cells deep inside your face where the herpes virus actually lives. In short, this is just more stupid bullshit from the woo crowd. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/79 "2013-05-04T00:04:33Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > In addition, due to the pesky fact that skin is, you know, intact, there is no clear way for it to penetrate into the nerve cells deep inside your face where the herpes virus actually lives. > > In short, this is just more stupid bullshit from the woo crowd. He’s talking about _drinking_ the stuff!! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/80 "2013-05-04T03:28:09Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > 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? Clearly you should go with the herbal salve, as it cures everything! ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722/81 "2013-05-04T03:36:41Z")
> [@clearlsky1](#): > > I was wondering if H2O2 might work in treating/curing herpes. I guess the idea behind it is that viruses (whether in nerve cells or other) can’t withstand high oxygen environments… Viruses do just fine in high oxygen environments, FYI. As long as the cells they’ve hijacked are not being fatally damaged by the local environmental conditions, they’re perfectly happy. And if the local environmental conditions ARE damaging the body’s cells, the patient has far, far bigger problems to contend with than the virus… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes-hsv-cure/618722.md?page=5)