Researchers claim to have found out the part of chromosome that contains a specific gene which is responsible for making our bodies prone to the herpes simplex virus. The discovery of this gene, according to the researchers, can help in the development of new drugs for better treatment of the disease. Researchers from the University of Utah School of Medicine and the University of Massachusetts Medical School have found a specific gene named C21orf91 on chromosome 21 and identified the presence of this gene to be responsible for the occurrence and recurrence of cold sores among humans.

Via: Med India

Since the herpes simplex virus or HSV remains hidden in the body near the nerve cells, it becomes difficult to treat them until it appears on the surface skin. When they appear as cold sores around the mouth area, they are treated with the drug acyclovir which kills the replicating virus. But in reality the remaining virus remains latent in the body and goes into a state of hibernation only to recur later. Scientists, therefore, aimed at finding a way out to kill the virus entirely from the body by activating the virus so that they cannot get back to the state of hibernation from where they gather greater strength. A complete eradication will then be possible. 

Via: Time Health

Researchers from the University of New Mexico, House Ear Institute and Brown University have come up with the fact that the herpes simplex virus or HSV that causes cold sores and which remain latent in the nerve cells within the body can deteriorate cognitive behavior of Alzheimer patients. Researchers found out that Alzheimer patients when affected with cold sores showed decline in cognitive behaviors. Researchers, after examining the movements of the virus inside cells, are claiming that HSV can also lead to Alzheimer disease.

Via: Med India