The components of this invention are chosen because of their complementarity for the prevention or treatment of diseases caused by the herpes simplex virus. L-Lysine favorably increases the physiologic immunomodulation necessary for defense against this virus. Zinc improves and maintains a normal immune response. 2-Deoxy-2-D-glucose and heparin sodium alter the surface interaction between the herpes virus and the cell, preventing fusion and infectivity. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine increases glutathione levels thereby creating a thiol redox barrier to the virus at the cell membrane. Quercetin reduces intraoellular replication of the herpes virus and viral infectivity. Ascorbate, in concert with copper and D-.alpha.-tocopherol, provides an antioxidant defense against the herpes virus, which tends to lose latency during period of oxidative, free radical excess. Selenium and quercetin also participate in reducing various oxidative stresses. Together the components of this invention provide the potential for improved resistance to, improved recovery from, and a decreased frequency of recurrence of herpes simplex virus infection.