It's been a long time since the first experiments on gene therapy to cure herpes began, and it looks like it will still be a few more years before we see the first human trials. According to Jerome, it will take at least three years. Herpes is a virus that can cause painful or itchy blisters on the skin. It usually takes between two and twenty days for the symptoms to appear after contact with the virus.
The blisters will eventually break open and become sores, which will then heal over the course of one to two weeks without leaving any scars. In some cases, flu-like symptoms such as swollen glands, headaches, body aches, and fever may also occur. Some people may not even know they have herpes if their symptoms are mild enough. I've had herpes for as long as I can remember, and I've tried all sorts of home remedies, topical creams and ointments, and antiviral medications in an effort to manage my outbreaks. Unfortunately, there is no cure for herpes yet, but there are ways to limit or prevent outbreaks.
However, a new vaccine could be on the horizon that could change everything. Pharmaceutical companies are working hard to find a cure for herpes, but the research process is lengthy and expensive. Until a cure is found, you can continue to use current treatments to control outbreaks. Fred Hutch scientists are studying human herpesviruses in the hope of finding better treatments, vaccines and cures. The first results suggest that there is hope for a vaccine, but it will still be a few years before we see the final results.
