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The researchers looked at the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which many people become infected with during childhood. HSV-1 hides inside nerve cells, and can remain dormant for years, before making its way into skin cells and producing a cold sore.
The researchers found that although hundreds of virus particles may be lying dormant inside the nerve cells, just one or two make the trip to spread to a skin cell, said study researcher Lynn Enquist, a professor of molecular biology at Princeton University in New Jersey. Once inside a skin cell, the virus then multiplies and spreads to other skin cells, creating a cold sore.
This bottleneck could be "a point where the infection is more susceptible to drug treatments, if we had them," Enquist said. However, the study was conducted using cells in lab dishes, so more research is needed to confirm the same thing happens in animals and people. It's too early to say how it could translate to treatments, he said.
Currently, there is no way to cure an HSV-1 infection. While anti-inflammatory drugs can temporarily relieve symptoms, they don't target the virus itself. (HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes, though most cases are caused by the related virus, herpes simplex virus type 2.)
The findings also shed light on why herpes virus is such an efficient pathogen - only the fittest viruses spread from the nerve cells to the skin surface, which can then spread to other people. Flawed virus particles would be unlikely to survive this journey, Enquist said.
The researchers suspect their findings may apply to viruses that are similar to HSV-1, such as chickenpox, but more research is needed to confirm this.
The study was published Oct. 16 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The agent 'Beta Glucans' which is derived from either certain mushrooms/fungi or is the product of specific yeasts grown on oats has an almost instanteous effect on Herpes Simplex Type 1.
The micologist Paul Stamets has documented the results of Beta Glucans therapy for the relief of many viruses as well as its salutary effect on the immune system. Heighten immunity and the tendency to have inflammatory reactions due to stress is significantly reduced. Stress, both emotional and physical is the precursor to an outbreak of Herpes. Beta Glucans is also a remarkable therapy for Feline Auto-Immune Virus aka FIV.
Prior to the discovery of this remarkable natural medicine, naturopaths and medical doctors could only suggest L-Lysine, prescribe topical ointments that contained steroids or suggest Blistex. L-Lysine is actually somewhat effective but one must avoid eating nuts or other foods that contain arginine which, for some reason, exacerbates the inflammatory response once the herpes erupts as a cold sore.
Beta Glucans is available in tablet form at most health food stores but it's derived from lab-grown yeasts. The preferred product is one that is derived from a naturally harvested fungi/mushroom. Here's the link for Paul Stamets' web site: www.fungiperfecti.com. You may also find his presentation at TED conference which is on YouTube.
Last bit: Boiron Homeopathics has a product called: Oscillococcinum (sp?) which is also referred to as 'Homeopathic Chicken Soup'; it's terrific at the first sign of a cold or any other flu/virus and it supports the immune system when battling Herpes. And......acidophilous in yogurt containing live cultures also helps greatly.
Are all of these 'cures'? No but....if one employs these methods the virus remains dormant indefinitely....for years.