The standard belief is that there is no cure for herpes. It's generally believed that once infection with herpes, or more specifically infection with the herpes simplex virus, takes place that herpes remains in the body for life. After herpes infection takes place, the body develops herpes antibodies. These antibodies can and do destroy the herpes simplex virus. This very thing happens during an outbreak of herpes symptoms, where strains of the herpes simplex virus travel to the skin surface. However, the herpes simplex virus itself is thought to remain in the body, hidden from the body's defenses. There are treatments, however, that claim this notion is false, and state that they can permanently cure a herpes infection.