How much research is being done?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hi. Does anybody know how much research scientists/governments etc are doing to find a cure for herpes? I'm sure one day there will be a cure, more than likely for a long long time but does anybody actually know? I know a lot of people say the drug companies make money by not finding a cure but I don't this is true. Someone out there would become a superstar in the medical profession if they discovered the cure for GH.

I live in hope!

2 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    I don't believe in conspiracy theorists who think Big Pharma are withholding cures et al., because they can make more money or whatever. You're right. Whoever can find a cure for herpes would be famous and there'd be a massive market for it. They could rake in a helluva lot of money from this!

    There's also good reason to find a cure and preventative vaccination: gHSV-2 has been linked to the spread of HIV.

    In terms of what's being done now, there are a handful of companies currently conducting human trials for a therapeutic vaccine, which would benefit those already living with HSV-2 (and likely HSV-1). The goal is to reduce outbreaks and viral shedding with the therapeutic vaccine, so similar to the daily suppressive meds but via a 3-shot regimen instead.

    So far, the human trials for two leading contenders are proceeding well, but it will be some time before anything becomes of them, since these things take time to test, approve and go to market.

    There is also a new oral med in development (pritelivir) that has so far proven to be more effective than valacyclovir, but the human trials were halted due to an issue found in monkeys (but not humans!). Not sure if or when the study will resume, as I have seen no updates since.

    That's about where we're at currently.

  • Posted

    Just posted a really comprehensive reply, but it needs to be approved by site admin due to the inclusion of one drug name! Pfft
  • Posted

    I'll start by being totally honest and saying I have no idea because i only really found out all about herpes etc a few weeks ago.

    But the way I see it is probably not.. When you think about all the other diseases/virus like HIV, Cancer, diabetes etc that people have to live with, that are life threatening and still don't have a cure - I think more money will always be put into researching how to cure these rather than herpes. Because realistically, the way they see it is that herpes is a skin condition. I know, I know - it's muh more than that to me and you.

    But I'm trying to not live in denial that one day this will go away.. I think I need to accept this is me forever now and that's okay. It could be SO much worse

    • Posted

      Actually, researchers now know that gHSV-2 is a co-factor in the spread of HIV, so it's more than a skin condition (besides which, it's actually a nerve condition, with both skin and nerve manifestations) and I think that fact will renew the push, as it has already. Herpes research/funding used to be a lot more, especially before HIV, etc.
  • Posted

    i mean they will more then likely find a cure hiv/aids before they find one for herpes.. just like they havent found a cure for cancer..

    if they find a cure for anything.. it will be so high and expensive that its better to stay with the disease then it is to cure .. at least they have suppressive medicine so that gotta count for something 

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