Biology
HSV-2 latency
HSV-2 can become latent in sensory ganglia. That latent reservoir is the reason symptom control is different from a hard cure.
Simple map
HSV-2 exposure can begin in skin or mucosal tissue, then the virus can reach sensory nerve endings and travel to sensory ganglia.
In that nerve-cell environment the virus can persist in a latent state. It may later reactivate and travel back toward the skin or mucosa, where shedding or outbreaks can happen.
Why current meds still matter
Antivirals such as valacyclovir are useful because they can reduce outbreaks, shedding, and transmission risk.
They do not remove latent viral DNA from nerve cells, so they are management tools rather than permanent reservoir-removal tools.