Experts warn, this sexual act could lead to dementia

Medical Advice

Express newspaper

21/03/2025 22:37

Scientists warn that the herpes virus can travel to the brain during oral sex.

Researchers from University of Chicago discovered that people can take herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in and around the nose, creating a dangerous direct route to the brain.
Infection, in theory, could cause inflammation, leading to brain damage and dementia.

Professor Deepak Shukla, who led the study, told DailyMail.com – reports GazetaExpress - say this mode of transmission can occur in the bedroom.
According to him, any position that allows one's nose to come into contact with HSV-1 particles from a person who is spreading the virus poses a risk.

How is HSV-1 transmitted?

Almost four billion people in the world are carriers of HSV-1, the main cause of oral herpes.
The most common mode of transmission is touching an active sore on an infected person.

• If someone has oral herpes, which sometimes appears as blisters around the lips, then contact with the wound or the saliva theirs during a active period spreads the virus.
• HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes, if the virus is transmitted during oral sex.
• A person can inhale infectious HSV-1 particles when his face is in contact with skin or wounds that spread the virus.

New discovery: Herpes virus and brain damage

In a study published in mBio, Prof. Shukla discovered a key enzyme called heparanase (HPSE), which can cause herpes infections through the nose to be especially dangerous for the brain.

What is HPSE?

• Is one normal enzyme in the human body that helps in cleaning damaged cells and tissue regeneration.
• By HSV-1 manipulates this enzyme, causing excessive inflammation in the brain.

Most people who carry HSV-1 they have nothing to worry about, but when this infection reaches the brain, can cause:
✅ Herpetic encephalitis – dangerous inflammation of the brain
✅ Alzheimer's disease – possibly contributing to the onset of dementia

What did the experiments with mice show?

RESEARCHERS infected mice me HSV-1 through the nose and discovered that:

• Mice with normal HPSE levels suffered more from the infection, they died faster and had more severe symptoms, such as nasal swelling and difficulty breathing.
• After the autopsy, their brains had more dead cells and inflammation.
• Infected mice showed signs of memory loss, anxiety, and coordination problems brenda less than six months.

On the other hand, mice genetically modified to produce less HPSE, experienced less brain damage and lower inflammation.

What does this mean for people?

• The effects of HSV-1 entering the brain through the nose would change from person to person.
• Symptoms would develop slower in humans than in mice.
• The risk will depend on the strength of the immune system and how often the person has herpes outbreaks.

There is no cure for HSV-1 or HSV-2.

Currently, there is no cure for herpes (HSV-1 or HSV-2).
According to Prof. Shukla, this study is a serious warning se untreated herpes can lead to:
❌ Behavioral changes
❌ Problems with motor function
❌ Difficulty in coordination
❌ Dementia and neurodegenerative diseases in the future

🔴 Conclusion: Avoiding exposure to HSV-1 through the nose is essential to prevent long-term brain damage. /Express newspaper/