Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
 | 

HSV and the elderly

by pangaea1440, Dec 10, 2007 03:03PM
Hi doctor. I want to know, how does Herpes Simplex affects the elderly? It is well documented that the symptom decreases by year (usually the first year is the worst, after 5+ years it is relatively mild). But let's say someone get it in his/her 20's, how does it affect them when they are, let's say, 70's or 80's? I never find any literature that discuss that. I assume immune system plays a big role in the elderly, but many old people are still relatively healthy. How do they survive with HSV? Does HSV ever weaken or that the body system able to handle it in this very long-term condition? Of course there are bad cases but how common are they in the elderly?

Most literature out there talks about Herpes Zoster and its recurrence in the elderly, but not HSV. I really want to know about this.... thanks, doc!
Member Comments (1)

by gracefromHHP, Dec 10, 2007 03:50PM
To: pangaea1440
This isn't the doctor's forum.

Most folks over time has less ob's but not always.  Since by the time we reach our 70-80's - about 80% of folks have at least 1 type of herpes - it's pretty easy to see that it's not really an issue.  It's just like when you are in your 20's  -some folks get cold sores/genital lesions and some don't.  It doesn't really change all that much as we age.

grace
Post Comment
To
Comment
Post Comment
Recent Activity
rockie718 feeling better
rooboo Has a rash....
fc_hat is ...tired
je1v added the Mood Tracker
11 hrs ago
je1v adventurous
nikki0207 commented on sleep 3
17 hrs ago
low positives - confirmatory result...
21 hrs ago by gracefromHHP
sleep 3
Nov 09 by drifter0213
RSS Expert Activity
H1N1 and Our Pets
Nov 05 by Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician
In the ER: A Unicorn's Journey
Nov 03 by Jon Geller, D.V.M.
Doctors Resign Over Coca-Cola Fundi...
Nov 03 by Adam Tanase, D.C.
Community Members