Herpes and the elderly

[mbt4955]

My 80 year old mother just returned from her doctor and was told that she has "cold sore herpes"  (herpes simplex???) and that she will be on medication for the rest of her life.  She has had several outbreaks with extreme pain, but we assumed that it was the shingles herpes virus and have just been told that it is not.  

I have seen some links that discuss the relationship between herpes simplex and alzheimer's.  Does anyone have information or a source that might help us decide on a plan of action?

I realize that 80 is old to a lot of people, but her mother died at 96 from a brain tumor, so we are expecting many more years with her.

Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

Could you please be more specific about all this?  Where is she having her symptoms at? How was she diagnosed?

Currently there is no direct correlation between herpes simplex and alheimer's.  Since by the time they are old enough for alzheimer's to be an issue most folks in that age bracket already have hsv1 ( 80% on average just in the US ) it's kinda not surprising that most folks who have alzheimer's also have hsv1 which what I believe the research has shown at this point.  

grace

[mbt4955]

Hi Grace,

She has the horrible burning in her back.  She was diagnosed with "shingles" several years ago after a doctor noticed the blisters.  Most of the time she doesn't break out, but just has the internal symptoms.  They are almost always on her back.  She has had several different episodes in the last year or so and they usually last for weeks.

She was diagnosed this week from a blood test.

She had a really severe case of shingles years and years ago.

Thanks!
Martha

[gracefromHHP]

I wouldn't be so quick to call this a result of herpes simplex. I think she needs to get herself a 2nd opinion. Just back pain and no obvious lesions isn't likely to be due to herpes.  She should consult a neurologist if she hasn't already.  

I will gladly take a look at her blood test results if you can get her to get a copy of them and you post the numeric results here ( ie hsv1 igg 5. 8 and hsv2 igg .34 or whatever they are ).  If you bookmark this post you can just keep adding to it so that it's easier to follow the whole story behind this all.  

grace

[mbt4955]

Thanks for the advice, Grace.  I will talk to her tonight and see if she got a copy of her blood tests.  She has a neurologist that she goes to quick often, but I don't know if she has talked to him about this.  I'll find out and get back with you.

Thanks again.  Have a great evening.

Martha