Eli5 Why does your immune system kill all of some viruses, but not others?

Question

When you get a cold or the flu your body kills all of the virus, but when you get herpes it stays in you for the rest of your life. Why does your body completely kill some viruses but not others?

In: 2

Answer 1

It’s entirely dependent on the virus. Your immune system has broad ways to deal with viruses, but some viruses have very effective methods to evade detection. These methods vary greatly, and going into all possibilities is well outside the scope of ELI5.