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Herpes Community
This forum is an un-mediated, patient-to-patient forum for questions and support regarding herpes issues such as: Herpes symptoms and treatments, causes, diagnosis, and herpes in men, tests, telling your spouse or partner.
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!
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!
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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