If you have herpes, you have 50% chance of Alzheimers

Not a single link to any research in that article.

Don't around 80% of people have Herpies S1?

R1 Here is the original article that links to the research, as well as to studies showing certain herpes treatments' effectiveness as reducing the risk of demintia.

*at

That's ridiculous. My grandmother had herpes and was sharp as a tack when she died at age 89.

Its just a correlation. Nothing proven. If I were old and had herpes I would definitely be on maintenance Acyclovir. It's active against a LOT of nasty viruses and not a heavy drug.

Scary. I'm 66 y/o and have herpes. Acyclovir causes kidney damage, doesn't it, r6?

*dementia, oops

R7 - its rare. If you were on maintenance valacyclovir or acyclovir you would have regular blood work which you should be having anyway at your age.

Thank you, R7; I will ask my doctor to put me on maintenance meds. Very appreciative.

Which herpes?

This link doesn’t count, R1?

The article says nothing about a 50% increase in chance of AD related with HSV. Rather those with the gene may be more likely to get AD- an association, but not demonstrated cause/effect as yet.

OP plucked 50% out of his ass.

Herpes 1 simplex r11 (or is it Herpes A? --it's the kind that's more typically found on the mouth). The researcher said that a lot of ppl contract it at birth from their mothers, and if not then, most ppl will contract it via kissing as teens and young adults.

I've seen other articles that brought up the theory that Alzheimer's may originate as a bacterial or viral infection that later effects the brain because our immune systems and blood/brain barriers get weaker as we age. If that's found to be true it will be very exciting because we could focus on developing vaccines and prevent Alzheimer's from ever occurring. It's still very early days though.

R2 I have not only read that before, but also 63-68% of Americans are positive for S2, even if they do not have lesions. It would seem there exists many carriers who unknowingly continue to spread the virus.

R3 may be demented.

I gots da herps!

I have S1 and never knew it until my partner had a huge outbreak, tested pos for herpes, and then I had myself tested. Ten years later, I've still never had one symptom.

[quote]That's ridiculous. My grandmother had herpes and was sharp as a tack when she died at age 89.

Hypothesis: IRREFUTABLY DISPROVEN!

That would mean like 40% of seniors get Alzheimer's.

The frequency doesn't seem that high to me.