What do cold sores and Alzheimer’s disease have in common? A pair of new studies suggests there could be a link between an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and the herpes virus that gives you cold sores that erupt in or near your mouth.
Researchers from Umeå University in Sweden found that being a carrier of herpes simplex virus 1 nearly doubled a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In a second study, the investigators followed 3,432 people for an average of 11.3 years, and found that a reactivated herpes simplex 1 infection doubled one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Herpes simplex virus 1 infections are very common. The majority of the population carries herpes simplex 1, the virus responsible for most cold sores. Once you are infected, you carry the virus for life. From time to time, the virus can become active, which causes the cold sores.
We talked with Alzheimer’s specialist Jagan Pillai, MD, about the studies to find out what they mean…
Devotional blog dedicated to the Goddess Sigyn offering support to those who are "holding the bowl" within difficult relationships.
Holding the Bowl 