The herpes simplex virus (HSV) could be sneaking into the brain more often than we’re aware.
A new study on mice has found that when HSV type 1 infection accesses the body through the nose, it can lead to rapid nerve damage and high levels of inflammation in the mammal brain.
The consequences may be far worse than oral or genital sores. Several months after viral exposure, researchers measured increased anxiety, motor impairment, and cognitive issues in mice.
“There is definitely nerve damage if you take the intranasal route, and the effects are long-term, which is alarming,” says ophthalmologist Deepak Shukla from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
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