Effective Ways to Combat Herpes | Dr. Mandell

The immune system actively fights all herpes infections. When herpes is contracted, both innate and adaptive immune responses are triggered. Infected cells release signals to attract immune cells that destroy them, while antibodies are produced to neutralize the virus in the bloodstream.

However, the immune system cannot completely eliminate the virus from nerve cells, as these are immune-privileged areas where the virus becomes latent. The virus can also block signaling molecules, making infected cells harder for the immune system to detect.

The immune system continuously works to suppress the virus, which is why cold sores often appear when the body is dealing with other infections.

Factors like sunburn can temporarily weaken immune cells in the skin, allowing the virus to reactivate and spread, leading to sores. Similarly, stress and fatigue can suppress the immune system, giving the virus an opportunity to emerge from latency and infect other cells, causing outbreaks.