Herpes why no vaccine

About half a billion people ages 15 to 49 have genital herpes infections, which are mostly caused by herpes simplex virus type 2, which can raise the risk of HIV. Herpes infections can lead to recurring, often painful, blisters.

In , two-thirds of the world's population under 50 — about 3. HSV-1 is usually spread by kissing, but it can also be transmitted to the genital area through oral sex. As many as million people worldwide have genital HSV-1 infections. Download the NBC News app for breaking news and alerts. While the COVID pandemic has led to an unprecedented race to develop a vaccine to protect against the coronavirus, researchers have been trying to come up with a vaccine to prevent herpes for at least four decades.

A vaccine that would protect against both strains of herpes has been a challenge, because the virus has been very good at evading the immune system, said Charles Rinaldo, professor and chair of the department of infectious diseases and microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

Experts suggest that even if antiviral drugs destroy the active parts of the infection, it only takes a small amount of the virus to hide in the nerve cells and become dormant for the herpes virus to continue.

To find a treatment, scientists need to understand further the mechanism that enables the infection to hide. By preventing this mechanism, they might be able to tackle the whole infection before parts go dormant. Some medications may reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms and lower the chances of passing the infection on to others. Current antiviral medications to treat herpes include the following medications :.

Acyclovir is typically the first form of treatment for HSV infections. A doctor may treat a skin or mucous membrane infection with oral acyclovir, provided the person has a competent immune system. For people with severe infections or less competent immune systems, the doctor may prescribe intravenous IV acyclovir. Possible side effects of acyclovir may impact the central nervous system or gastrointestinal tract, which runs from the mouth to the anus.

People with high levels of stress or trauma may experience more frequent recurrences of genital herpes. In this case, a doctor may advise psychotherapy and counseling.

Some home remedies, such as petroleum gel or essential oils, may alleviate the discomfort that herpes lesions cause.

Click here to learn more about the best home remedies to treat herpes. A person can transmit HSV-1 when they have no symptoms. However, it is most contagious during an outbreak.

People with active symptoms must avoid oral contact with others or sharing objects that come into contact with saliva. They must also avoid performing oral sex. Those with symptoms of genital herpes must also abstain from sexual activity to prevent the spread of the disease.

People with an HSV-2 infection can transmit genital herpes while experiencing no symptoms. HSV-2 is most contagious during an outbreak of sores. People should abstain from sexual activity while experiencing symptoms. The correct use of condoms may help to reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes. Pregnant women with symptoms of genital herpes should speak to a doctor, as there is a risk of neonatal herpes.

Neonatal herpes is where a mother passes the infection on to the fetus before, during, or immediately after delivery. The study reports that these six women were all taking immunosuppressant medications due to chronic autoimmune diseases, and had not been vaccinated for either varicella chicken pox or herpes zoster shingles. Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus. This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here.

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