Why don't medications such as acyclovir cure oral herpes simplex infections?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Acyclovir is an antiviral medication that works by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase, which prevents the virus from replicating. However, oral herpes simplex virus can persist in a latent form in nerve cells, where it is not actively replicating and is not affected by acyclovir. When the virus becomes active again, either due to stress or other factors, acyclovir can decrease the severity and duration of symptoms, but it cannot cure the infection.

Why Don't Medications Such as Acyclovir Cure Oral Herpes Simplex