An estimated 417 million people under the age of 50 worldwide have herpes simplex virus, but what does this have to do with cognitive decline?One study reports that some chronic viral infections, including herpes simplex, may contribute to cognitive decline in healthy older adults.
Herpes is an infection caused by a virus. Oral herpes, caused by the herpes type 1 virus, causes sores around the boa or face. Genital herpes, caused by the herpes type 2 virus, is a sexually transmitted disease that can affect the genitals, buttocks, or anus. Other herptic infections can affect the eyes, skin, or other parts of the body.
- The study we talked about was conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania.
- USA.
- But it’s not the first time.
Published in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, it links some chronic viruses, including herpes simplex virus type 2, to cognitive decline. The research involved more than 1,000 adults over the age of 65, evaluated annually for 5 years to detect any cognitive damage. Changes.
Cognition is a combination of mental processes that involves the ability to learn new things, intuition, judgment, language, and memory, as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But it’s not the first time
When a person suffers from cognitive decline he often has problems with these processes, which affects his daily life, for example, a person with cognitive impairment may not be able to take care of himself or perform everyday tasks, such as preparing his own. manage your money, among other things.
New research links herpes simplex, a very common infection, to cognitive decline. According to the researchers, previous cross-sectional studies had already found an association between exposure to certain viruses and decreased cognitive functioning.
These viruses include cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus 2 (genital herpes) and protozoa toxoplasma gondii (better known as a parasite in cat faeces). Researchers say these viruses can trigger neurotoxic effects.
After looking for signs of viral exposure in blood samples, researchers discovered that exposure to these viruses was related to aspects of cognitive decline, generally considered age-related.
It should be noted that, while the results are worrying, herpes simplex virus type 1, which is the type of herpes associated with cold sores, has not been associated with increased temporary cognitive decline.
Researchers stated that their findings are independent of general age-related variables, so the link between other viruses and cognitive disorders is significant.
Knowledge of the effects of type 2 herpes cognitive disorders, as well as other viruses mentioned above, increases the reasons why it is important to invest in prevention.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that can be transmitted through skin contact or oral or genital fluids (secretions). Although this disease is treatable, it can also be prevented by starting with condom use.
The problem is that a person may have genital herpes long before the onset of symptoms, in fact, a person may develop symptoms within a few days of contracting genital herpes, the intensity of symptoms can also vary, hence the importance of taking preventive measures.
It is necessary to differentiate between “benign forgetfulness” and cognitive decline. It should also be noted that it is one thing to suffer a slight deterioration and another to suffer dementia.
People with mild cognitive impairment are more forgetful than normal for their age, but do not have other cognitive problems associated with dementia, such as disorientation in common places.
Routine tasks, such as paying bills, buying, and preparing meals, can be difficult for mild cognitive decline. People with this type of deterioration may need more time and make more mistakes. In general, they can live independently, but they may be less. socially active.
A person is generally considered to have mild cognitive impairment if they meet the following criteria:
Some formal tests that evaluate immediate and long-term memory can help identify slight impairment. Doctors can also evaluate a person’s cognitive function using informal techniques.
In any case, if there is evidence to make us suspicious, the first thing to do is to rule out vascular, traumatic and medical diseases that may explain the decline of basic psychological processes, such as memory.