HSV Cure

In researching HSV, I have come across a troubling question today. If there was a cure for HSV how would we know it really worked?? A blood test only shows antibodies, that someone had the virus at one time (as in, I had measles as a child and my blood work for that shows antibodies, but does not mean I still have the virus).

SO, if someone claimed to have the cure for HSV, how could we prove this true or false? Not with a blood test. Then HOW?

What test could be done to prove the virus was eliminated????

[gracefromHHP]

they'd have to do blood testing repeatedly as well as serial pcr swabbing of the infected area for several months.

grace

[hopeful969]

Great question! Ive been reading every research thing I can get my hands on and there is some really exciting stuff going on right now!

I have an interesting answer for you.... some guys in the states are actively researching a way to bring HSV out of hiding to activate it - then their idea is to try to kill it. well, if we cured it, we could test that teory by using their technology to activate it - if it was truly gone, of course it would not come back!!! Their research is going really well and they are  able to "FORCE" HSV out of hiding.

I know some people on here say we will never have a cure in our lifetime but honestly all this new antiviral research going on right now, I really feel like we will indeed have a cure! THere i much talk about one day being able to treat viral infections as easily as bacterial ones! It really is an exciting time for us in research!!!!