About HCA: Our Work

Herpes Cure Advocacy (HCA) is a grassroots, volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to tackling one of the world’s most prevalent but under-addressed infections: herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2).

Established as a 501(c)(3), the organization envisions a future free from the burden of herpes. HCA’s mission is to support the cure, treatment, and prevention of herpes infections. The organization accomplishes this through accelerating research and drug development, education, policy, and grassroots advocacy.

Our accomplishments:

Herpes Cure Advocacy has successfully elevated herpes onto the U.S. public health agenda. Accomplishments from HCA since it’s founding include:

• Inclusion of a $250,000 for a National Strategy and Strategic Plan for Cure, Treatment, and Prevention of Herpes in the 2021 United States Congressional budget.
• A joint CDC/NIH genital herpes workshop was convened with the world’s leading experts and community advocates at NIH/NIAID headquarters in 2022.
• In 2023 the CDC issued Requests for Applications (RFAs) for improved HSV serology testing.
• In 2023, the NIH convened a multi-council working group on herpes, marking a new level of institutional coordination.
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released its strategic plan for herpes simplex virus (HSV) research on September 19, 2023. The plan, titled the 2023–2028 NIH Strategic Plan for HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS Research, is led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
• In late 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the HSV Addendum to the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) National Strategic Plan.

Our Focus

The organization’s ongoing work spans several key areas. First, HCA is committed to advancing research and accelerating the development of potential cures, vaccines, and therapeutics. Since 2022 HCA has published the Herpes Cure Pipeline annually, a proprietary report of promising preclinical research and clinical trials for new therapies to treat HSV. Because there is no current cure for herpes, and existing treatments only manage symptoms, HCA prioritizes efforts that help promising therapies move from the laboratory into clinical trials. Alongside research, the group advocates for the development of better diagnostic tools. Current testing technologies are limited and often inaccurate, making it difficult for individuals to know their status and prevent transmission. By pushing for more reliable and accessible diagnostic solutions, HCA seeks to close one of the biggest gaps in the public health response to herpes.

Policy and advocacy are also central pillars of HCA’s mission. The organization engages with lawmakers, public health officials, and regulatory agencies to elevate herpes on the public health agenda, influence funding priorities, and promote coordinated national strategies. These advocacy efforts are reinforced by an equally important focus on education and HCA operates monthly educational programs for patients and professionals. In 2024 and 2025 HCA partnered with the HVTN to lead a series of scientific talks on HSV for a professional audience. 

The importance of HCA’s work cannot be overstated. Herpes is highly prevalent worldwide, yet its burden is often underestimated because many infections are asymptomatic or misdiagnosed. Beyond painful outbreaks, herpes can lead to severe complications such as neonatal herpes, encephalitis, or increased vulnerability to other health conditions. Research has also identified potential associations between HSV and long-term neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. On top of the physical toll, the psychological burden of herpes is immense. The infection is often accompanied by stigma, shame, and social isolation, which can deeply impact mental health. By addressing both the biomedical and social dimensions of herpes, HCA is working toward a future that prioritizes holistic well-being for those affected.

Herpes Cure Advocacy is a catalyst for progress in an area that has long been neglected by mainstream health systems. By advancing research, promoting policy change, supporting better diagnostics, reducing stigma, and mobilizing communities, the organization is pushing herpes out of the shadows and into the spotlight of public health. Its achievements so far signal a growing momentum, but the ultimate vision—a world free of herpes—requires sustained advocacy, collaboration, and investment. HCA stands at the forefront of that effort, ensuring that the millions affected by herpes have a voice, a community, and a path forward.

---

Follow us!

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Mail
• Instagram
• Link
• TikTok
• LinkedIn