Cold sore link to Alzheimer's offers breakthrough hope

scotsman.com ^ | Dec. 7, 2008 | Kate Foster

[decimon]

Gee, I see that it says right in the article that acyclovir is an antiviral. Sorry about that.

Do you know if it’s over the counter?

[decimon]

...I’ve suffered from cold sores ( is there anyone who hasn’t? ).

Maybe in my youth but not as an adult. But that doesn't mean I'm not carrying the virus.

[Doc Savage]

Highly unlikely. Herpes simplex 1 and 2 have been linked to every condition on the face of the earth. Needs more research. You think the deficit is large now? Just wait until Bambi starts doling out antivirals to everyone. They cost a FORTUNE!

[decimon]

Okay, I’ll post this to you and not me this time.

>

Gee, I see that it says right in the article that acyclovir is an antiviral. Sorry about that.

Do you know if it’s over the counter?

[bellas_sister]

I get cold sores about 1-2 a year too... I just take L-Lysine amino acid and they never get bad....

[Kirkwood]

“Do you know if it’s over the counter?”

No, prescription only. It is easily metabolized by the liver. I’m considering taking it as well.

[jusduat]

I have never had a cold sore. Knock on wood. I’m not even
a very healthy type.

[decimon]

Looks like you know what you need to about the drug but, in post #20, there are some possible side effects.

[PistolPaknMama]

Last week there was an article on Fr that said a diet high in fat and suguar was linked to Alzheimers. Is this diet also linked to cold sores?

[Carilisa]

My mother gets cold sores, but does not have Alzheimer's. She is 80 years old. I remember her having a sore a few times each year since my youth.

[decimon]

Last week there was an article on Fr that said a diet high in fat and suguar was linked to Alzheimers. Is this diet also linked to cold sores?

I don't think so. These cold sores result from a herpes virus.

[GladesGuru]

“Last week there was an article on Fr that said a diet high in fat and suguar was linked to Alzheimers. Is this diet also linked to cold sores?”

That diet sounds like half of the US Army Rangers FAST diet.

Fats
Alcohol
Sugar
Tobacco

FAST.

[kcvl]

Bookmark for later.

[Nipfan]

“Last week there was an article on Fr that said a diet high in fat and suguar was linked to Alzheimers. Is this diet also linked to cold sores?”

It doesn’t have to be. It can simply be another risk factor. High fat intake leads to increased cholestoral, which clogs up arteries everywhere, including the brain.

[Kirkwood]

I take acyclovir now, but I don’t take it specifically for alzheimer’s prevention. I only know one person who does this and I’m not sure you could get your doctor to go along with this at this time. I would also first check to see if you carry the apoE gene. If yes, then it might be a good idea to start thinking about acyclovir. There may be US clinical trials next year. I’ve been hearing talk about it.

[kcvl]

Side effects of acyclovir: “SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache. Other reported side effects include agitation, confusion, rash, anemia, and muscle pain. Hypersensitivity reactions, seizures, agitation, confusion, anemia, hepatitis, and muscle pain have also been reported.”

You can find that or much worse on just about every drug anyone takes. You can thank a trial lawyer.

[Kirkwood]

It is not that HSV causes alzheimer’s, but that it is one factor out of several that is associated with alzheimer’s. Also, it is those who have a lot of HSV activation who are at risk, not those with occasional cold sores.

[decimon]

I would also first check to see if you carry the apoE gene.

Don't think so. My family tree is walnut but that shows early in life. ;-)

[Hot Tabasco]

I think that cold sores are induced by both stress and prolonged exposure to sun.

While working I would get them quite frequently then in the summer with lots of sun exposure I would get them also.

Now that I'm no longer working, the stress has died out as well as the frequency of cold sores. In the summer I lie out on my deck every chance I get and my sun induced cold sores have died out also as I have gotten more accustomed to the ultra violet rays............

[MrPiper]

I used to get cold sores once or twice a year from age 10,(very bad as a pre teen/teenager) but now, after the age of 45, they have stopped. I'm now 52 and no cold sores. ????????????????Alcohol consumption has increased, and less exercise. ????????? (I used to run 5 miles a day from the age 33 to 45 as a stress reliever.) Maybe is was the stress.

After I quit the stressful job, I developed a new attitude, "Frankly Scarlet, I don't give a damn!" Its afternoon somewhere,,, join me for a drink?,

PS, for any youngin's out there,,, now my knees hurt from all the running. Just FYI.