Which statement about herpes simplex virus (HSV) treatment is true?

Which statement about herpes simplex virus (HSV) treatment is true?

• A. Suppressive therapy is indicated when there are more than 6 HSV recurrences per year.
• B. HSV treatment cures the infection completely.
• C. Antiviral therapy eliminates latent HSV from nerve ganglia.
• D. Suppressive therapy is never used in otherwise healthy individuals.

Answer: (A)

Frequent recurrences are the situation where suppressive antiviral therapy is most helpful. Daily antiviral meds (like acyclovir, valacylovir, or famciclovir) reduce the number of outbreaks and also lower asymptomatic viral shedding, which can decrease transmission risk. When someone experiences six or more HSV recurrences in a year, this approach is a common and evidence-supported consideration. This does not cure the infection or eradicate the virus from the body. HSV remains latent in nerve ganglia and can reactivate even after suppression is stopped. Suppressive therapy can be used in otherwise healthy individuals if their recurrence burden justifies it, but it is not limited to those with illness or risk factors. The other statements are inaccurate because antiviral therapy does not eliminate latent HSV, does not cure the infection, and suppression can be appropriate for healthy people under the right circumstances.

Frequent recurrences are the situation where suppressive antiviral therapy is most helpful. Daily antiviral meds (like acyclovir, valacylovir, or famciclovir) reduce the number of outbreaks and also lower asymptomatic viral shedding, which can decrease transmission risk. When someone experiences six or more HSV recurrences in a year, this approach is a common and evidence-supported consideration.

This does not cure the infection or eradicate the virus from the body. HSV remains latent in nerve ganglia and can reactivate even after suppression is stopped. Suppressive therapy can be used in otherwise healthy individuals if their recurrence burden justifies it, but it is not limited to those with illness or risk factors. The other statements are inaccurate because antiviral therapy does not eliminate latent HSV, does not cure the infection, and suppression can be appropriate for healthy people under the right circumstances.