valtrex question

[big_dan]

i am reading on valtrex and how it works but i have a few questions.  

1.  i read valtrex only circulates in the bloodstream so is it safe to say it only affects hsv that is in the bloodstream?  
2.  if that is the case and hsv sits mostly dormant in the nerves, is hsv safe from valtrex while dormant in the nerves?
3.  can hsv sit indefinitely in the nerves, theyby indefintely remaining unaffected by the valtrex?
4.  does hsv only come out of nerves to replicate or can it replicate within the nerve centers, therby again avoiding circulating vatrex.
5.  how long can a hsv infected cell live?  
6.  after years of suppression does the level of hsv virus drop off?
7.  does the hsv irritate nerves and cause other symptoms all the while it is dormant in the nervous system?

sorry for all the questions, but i just can't find that information on the internet.

[gracefromHHP]

herpes isn't active each and every day.  you need to figure out what is going on besides herpes.

[big_dan]

i think you might have gone a little overboard with the bowel control image but i agree there are some technical issues to be worked out.  that being said, i am hoping someone much smarter than me, and i think there might be a few, will use nano-mines to disable hsv.

you are lucky if a pill controls your herpes.  i am one that isn't able to control mine completely and it is active and problematic each and every day and i've read others that have the same day to day crisis.  we all respond much differently.

[gracefromHHP]

you have to be very careful with our nerves. they grow back incredibly slow and you don't want to paralyze someone below the waist to kill their herpes or cause them to have to wear diapers because they can no longer control their bowels or bladder properly.  this isn't a tumor you can target, it's the nerves.

I know I"d much rather take a pill a few times a day to control my herpes than I would to wear a diaper.  

grace

[big_dan]

yeah i was on valtex.com.  i didn't see much in the way of details but i will check again.  

i wonder why no one is trying to kill the virus with nano-technology.  they are targeting cancer cells with nano-particles that are attracted to the cancer.  once it has attached to the cell, they direct radiation toward the tumor and the nano-particles then heat up and kill the cancer.  i would think something like this could be done with herpes.  it doesn't have to be that hot, just enough to destroy the envelope.

[gracefromHHP]

you won't have symptoms when it's dormant in the nerve ganglia. you only get symptoms when it reactivates.  

did you check out the valtrex website? their information on there for medical providers used to have some really good animations on it all. I know they've changed it but still should be info there.

[big_dan]

so when it is in "housekeeping", the acyclovir has no effect?  will you still have symptoms when it is in housekeeping?
i guess i still don't understand what it means by "active" virus.

is there any weblink that goes into more details about the virus?  i've been through all the usual sites.  

[gracefromHHP]

valtrex disrupts the viral replication process.  affects any active herpes virus, not just herpes in the blood.  when the virus isn't active, it sets up "housekeeping" in the nerves and isn't detectable on the skin.  

I'm not sure what you are asking about the herpes virus level dropping off. we have studies that show that you are shedding the virus about the same amount whether you are infected 2 years or 20 years if that's what you are asking about.