Herpes Simplex 1 linked to Alzheimers
Dec. 8th, 2008 03:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
errantemberIt appears there is strong evidence that HSV-1 is a major contributor to Alzheimers.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081207134109.htm
This definitely complicates the safer-sex landscape, since HSV is both nearly impossible to avoid and was previously thought not to have any truly serious long-term effects. Other than being extra-careful with partners who are know to be HSV-positive, I don't think it's going to change my own behavior much. The finding itself may actually be good news, because it's likely to lead to a *lot* more funding being directed toward finding treatments and vaccines for HSV, since people are *way* more frightened of Alzheimer's.
It also raises questions for my father, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia recently (which is unrelated to Alzheimer's, except that it has similar symptoms) and who gets big, fat cold sores at least a few times a year.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081207134109.htm
This definitely complicates the safer-sex landscape, since HSV is both nearly impossible to avoid and was previously thought not to have any truly serious long-term effects. Other than being extra-careful with partners who are know to be HSV-positive, I don't think it's going to change my own behavior much. The finding itself may actually be good news, because it's likely to lead to a *lot* more funding being directed toward finding treatments and vaccines for HSV, since people are *way* more frightened of Alzheimer's.
It also raises questions for my father, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia recently (which is unrelated to Alzheimer's, except that it has similar symptoms) and who gets big, fat cold sores at least a few times a year.
