Herpes News and Research

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Herpes is an infection caused by two different but closely related viruses — herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or cold sores and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) or genital herpes. Both are easy to catch. They have similar symptoms (blisters or sores) and both can occur on different parts of the body. When the infection is on the mouth, it is called oral herpes. When it is on or near the sex organs, it is called genital herpes. There is no cure for herpes. Treatments are available to speed up the healing of the genital sores.

Study uncovers how HSV-1 disables the brain's antiviral defense

Infections caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can lead to HSV-1 encephalitis-a rare but deadly condition that inflames the brain.

3 Jun 2025

Herpes virus infection linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk, study shows antiherpetic drugs may help

A large US case-control study found that people diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Use of antiherpetic medications was associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s in those with HSV-1.

21 May 2025

Scientists discover how EBV-infected immune cells migrate and invade the brain

Many people are infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and most are unaware of it. However, EBV can sometimes cause cancer, and this pathogen also appears to play an important role in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.

19 May 2025

New drug candidate disrupts the link between herpes virus and Alzheimer’s disease

Studies suggesting that certain viral infections may influence the onset of Alzheimer's diseases are gaining attention. In this context, a domestic research team has succeeded in breaking the link between viral infection and Alzheimer's disease using a new treatment candidate.

16 May 2025

HIV uses circular RNAs to evade immunity and boost replication

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine have identified a never-before-seen mechanism that enables the human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1) to evade the body's natural defenses and use it to support its survival and replication.

13 May 2025

Shingles vaccine eligibility lowers dementia risk in older adults

A large quasi-experimental study in Australia found that adults eligible for free shingles vaccination based on their date of birth were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over a 7.4-year period. The findings reinforce previous results from Wales and suggest a potential preventive role for HZ vaccination.

24 Apr 2025

Shingles vaccination associated with reduction in probability of new dementia diagnosis

Vaccination to prevent shingles also reduces the risk of developing dementia in later life, according to a research paper published recently in Nature.

8 Apr 2025

New approach to combat influenza and herpes with bean-based gum

In today's interconnected world, infectious diseases pose an escalating threat, as demonstrated by the coronavirus pandemic and outbreaks of H1N1, SARS, Ebola, Zika, and H5N1 (bird flu) viruses-all of which have had significant global health and economic impacts.

4 Apr 2025

Shingles vaccine cuts dementia risk by 20%, new study shows

A large natural experiment shows that the herpes zoster vaccine reduces dementia diagnoses by 20% over seven years. The findings suggest both viral suppression and immune training may play roles in brain health.

3 Apr 2025

New tool visualizes immune response to abnormal DNA

A research led by Sergio P. Acebrón, Researcher Ikerbasque at the UPV/EHU, develops a key tool to visualize the immune response to abnormal DNA, opening new avenues for the treatment of diseases.

19 Mar 2025

Clinical trial tests herpes virus-based therapy for neurogenic bladder in people with spinal cord injury

A modified herpes virus that targets spinal cord nerve cells to treat neurogenic bladder in people with spinal cord injury is underway in a first-in-human clinical trial by UTHealth Houston at TIRR Memorial Hermann.

12 Mar 2025

Herpes infection through the nose can lead to anxiety, motor impairment and cognitive deficits

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is commonly known for causing blisters and sores. But in some cases, the virus can migrate to the eye or nervous system, causing severe, chronic symptoms.

10 Mar 2025

Scientists uncover how herpes virus fuels Alzheimer’s disease

Herpesvirus infection may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease through transposable element activation and neuroinflammation.

2 Mar 2025

New target identified for preventing cold sores and genital herpes

Scientists have a new target to prevent cold sores after University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers discovered an unexpected way the herpes virus re-activates in the body.

28 Feb 2025

Study highlights increase in VZV-induced CNS infections and dementia risk

Researchers from Fujita Health University, Japan, observed a rise in adult central nervous system (CNS) infections, primarily aseptic meningitis caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), post-2019. The researchers highlighted the potential of zoster vaccination to reduce CNS infections.

27 Feb 2025

Study shows how herpes viruses contribute to Alzheimer's disease in aging brains

Researchers from Cleveland Clinic's Genome Center outlined the pathway human herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV1) can use to contribute to Alzheimer's disease in aging brains.

24 Feb 2025

CMV infection found to worsen necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants

Researchers say they found that infection with a common virus that can be transmitted from mother to fetus before birth significantly worsens an often-fatal complication of premature birth called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in experiments with mice.

24 Feb 2025

Zika virus hijacks tunneling mechanism to infect placental cells

Infection with Zika virus in pregnancy can lead to neurological disorders, fetal abnormalities and fetal death. Until now, how the virus manages to cross the placenta, which nurtures the developing fetus and forms a strong barrier against microbes and chemicals that could harm the fetus, has not been clear.

22 Feb 2025

Infant exposure to herpes virus may cause memory problems later in life

Very early exposure to even a very small dose of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in infant mice can lead to cognitive decline later in life, according to findings from a new Dartmouth-led study, in collaboration with Harvard Medical School and published in the journal PLoS Pathogens.

19 Feb 2025

EBV exposure linked to life-threatening cancer risk in kidney transplant patients

More than 90% of the adult population in the U.S. is or has been infected with Epstein Barr virus (EBV). EBV is a highly contagious member of the herpes virus family, best known for causing infectious mononucleosis ("mono") and for its association with several cancers and autoimmune diseases.

10 Feb 2025