2023 Herpes Research Update from Dr. Keith Jerome

In recognition of National Herpes Awareness Day, Fred Hutch virologist Dr. Keith Jerome shares a special message about the research he and others are conducting to find a cure for herpes simplex virus infections.

Jerome and his lab have drawn worldwide attention for their work using gene therapy to target HSV, which is responsible for cold sores and genital herpes. The team has engineered a herpes gene-cutting enzyme that homes in on nerve clusters where the virus hides.

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[daboiiink]

We need more people in this field don’t be afraid to speak up! People are suffering in silence and it’s time we let folks in the government know we NEED a CURE

[AbbyMendezz]

As someone who’s recently been diagnosed with HSV, it’s been really deteriorating mentally. Getting it from a partner who you trusted is what angers me even more & almost feel guilty about it. But, having hope that there might be a cure in the making soon makes me so happy and grateful that one day I’ll be able to healed!

[JaneYBawesome]

I’m sure majority of us are ready to be volunteers as early as now for the cure trials. I am praying everyday for the cure. Please let this happen soon!

[kristinakelm]

This is a horrible virus to be infected with. Every single month I get an outbreak and every time I get it I avoid touching my husband and kids because I don’t want them to know this suffering. I make them wipe their hands and faces with rubbing alcohol if I suspect they might have come into contact with the virus. I’m really tired of having this this thing and pray the cure happens in my lifetime. I pray your research can continue and shows success at eradicating/reducing the virus in its latent state. I pray it moves quickly to human trials.

[daboiiink]

God please protect this man and his team! 🙏🏻 Thank You for all your work and effort, let’s ADVOCATE and bring a cure to HSV ❤️

[nikkimapp]

Can't wait until this cure is available . So many people need it. I believe you and your team will be successful in this cure.

[etandrepont]

I hope a cure comes quickly. Too many people suffer.

[zombieseezombiedo]

How is this not a priority, when so many people have it in one form or another.

[haileymags]

Please I will volunteer to be a test dummy for this cure I want my life back 😢

[stebolavirus]

Just last week I had the herpes talk with a gorgeous young woman I've been dating for a month (no sex prior obviously lol). Her response was that there are scarier things than herpes in the world. She is a nursing assistant and we shared and discussed information as well as a safe sex plan. But, it brought us closer; it didn't send her running and screaming. In fact, she became more vulnerable and shared some of her past and worries with me as well. And now we feel even closer and I know that our connection is genuine as she's interested in me as a person and that a minor (and manageable) skin condition isn't a major reason to abandon the entire relationship...

[cerberus]

One day I don’t care it’s apart of life everything will be okay. Can’t quit can’t be a coward. the next day I don’t want to be here anymore. Life is just life and will be life. Don’t forget to breathe in inhale the air exhale and just be okay. our life’s don’t have to be over we can still work towards happy and successful life’s we can still breathe substance into ourselves. Stay strong my friends, don’t forget to smile and remember everything will be okay. we all got this in the end we still get to wake up and that’s a blessing. Love you all

[VeronicaMonet]

Thank you. Thank you. One in Five Americans have Herpes. Of course you know that. But I just want to underline the immense importance of your work.

[kalvinhariz]

I just donated 10$ from the new fundraising. Coming from a 3rd world country south East Asian. I believe ur work will eventually bloom and help millions of us who’s suffering everyday neurologically and horrid lesions. I’ll be contributing every month till the goal can be reach. Thank you!!

[WelshWoman]

as I sit here with a full bottom lip because of recent outbreak, this gives me so much hope, I really hope a good treatment becomes available soon (wish I was one of those mice right now!), I live with autoimmune blood cancer (Dx 2020) and have had hsv1 all my life but since diagnosis for the cancer the hsv1 outbreaks are 10fold, years ago i would get one blister, now I have cauliflower blisters which spread out much more, life is unbearable, eating and drinking is so uncomfortable and brings on depression when an outbreak is so bad. Thank You for all your work!

[HelloChelcee]

I have suffered from severe cold sore outbreaks in my nose and on my mouth since I was 3 years old. I have lived most of my life in constant fear of passing the virus unwittingly onto someone else or spreading it to other parts of my own body. It has caused so much nervous tension in my life, which only exacerbates the issues. I am so grateful for your work and dedication and cannot wait for a cure to be found. Thank you!

[paulocesar]

i dont have much money right now, but i will donate $10 dollars next month to your research! God bless you all. Cheers from Brazil

[eddieb]

Incredible work! Everyone in my family has gotten cold sores our whole lives. So many people have suffered from this in our world!

[saushido]

Someone needs to tag Mr. Beast to donate money for this guys research.

[claudiasmith]

This disease is a true nightmare. The physical and mental toll it puts on the body is so great. I would love to see the day when people get cure of this disease.

[angyt]

Omg I can’t wait! Please keep working on this!