Researchers have uncovered a shocking connection between herpes and dementia, sparking concerns about how infections we acquire earlier in life might shape our brain health as we age.
A recent study from Uppsala University in Sweden suggest that individuals with herpes may be twice as likely to develop dementia later in life compared to those without the virus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 3.8 billion people under age 50 worldwide are living with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, the main cause of oral herpes, or cold sores.
WHO estimates that 520 million people aged 15 to 49 worldwide have herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, the main cause of genital herpes.
“Most people with herpes have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Many people aren’t aware they have the infection and can pass along the virus to others without knowing,” WHO explains of the virus, that can be transmitted through intimate contact, including kissing and sexual activity.
Sex and the brain
While most people associate herpes with skin sores, a new study suggests it could have much deeper effects – potentially influencing brain health decades later.
To explore this, researchers at Uppsala University conducted a 15-year-long study tracking 1,000 seniors to see how their cognitive function changed over time. Their results support previous hints that herpes could be linked to dementia.
While the exact reason for this connection isn’t fully understood, scientists suspect that repeated viral reactivations might contribute to chronic brain inflammation, a known factor in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
This discovery is raising new concerns about how infections we acquire earlier in life might shape our cognitive health as we age.
Declining brain health
The Alzheimer’s Association explains that dementia “triggers a decline in thinking skills, also known as cognitive abilities, severe enough to impair daily life and independent function. They also affect behavior, feelings and relationships.”
Dementia, an umbrella term for several diseases caused by abnormal brain changes – affects more than 55 million people worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year, according to WHO. By 2030, experts predict this number will rise to 78 million.
With such staggering statistics, researchers are investigating all possible risk factors – including infections like herpes that spreads through the most natural forms of human connection.
While the virus is considered a minor health issue, the idea that it could affect brain health decades later is an unsettling possibility.
Strong connection
Dementia occurs when damage to brain cells interferes with their ability to communicate, leading to memory loss, confusion, and cognitive decline. Different types of dementia target specific areas of the brain, with Alzheimer’s disease typically affecting the hippocampus — the region responsible for memory and learning.
The concern with herpes is that it doesn’t just stay on the skin. Once it enters the body, it can travel along nerve pathways, remaining dormant in the nervous system. HSV-1, the oral form of herpes, appears to be the primary concern when it comes to dementia risk. Some researchers believe that reactivations of the virus over time could cause long-term inflammation in the brain, increasing the likelihood of cognitive decline.
“We still do not have answers regarding causal mechanisms of this association, whether the virus causes the disease or if there is an indirect link,” said Erika Vestin, a lead author of the study.
This means that while a strong correlation has been found, researchers still need to determine whether herpes is directly causing dementia or simply increasing susceptibility in some way.
Should you be concerned?
If you have herpes, the early findings aren’t necessarily confirming you will end up with dementia.
Experts caution against panic, emphasizing that herpes is incredibly common, yet dementia rates remain significantly lower than herpes infection rates.
Other well-established dementia risk factors – such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and lack of physical activity – still play a much greater role in determining long-term cognitive health.
While these early findings are promising, more clinical trials are needed to confirm if there’s a definite link between herpes and dementia.
While researchers work to find the answers, WHO offers some simple steps to reduce the risk of spreading the herpes virus.
To lower the risk of spreading the virus:
• Talk to your partner about having herpes.
• Don’t have sex if you have symptoms and always use a condom.
• Don’t share items that touched saliva (oral herpes).
While there are still many unanswered questions, this study reminds us that our health is interconnected in ways we are only beginning to understand.
Please let us know what you think of this concerning study and then share it with your friends so we can also hear from them!
