Herpes Simplex Virus 2 News and Research

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Herpes Simplex Virus-2 is a sexually transmitted viral infection, which often produces painful sores, usually in the genital area. Once infected, an individual may carry the virus and be subject to recurrent bouts of infection. Some estimate that as many as 20 percent of the adult population in the United States has been exposed to the virus.

Scientists capture real-time action of antiviral drugs on herpes

Harvard Medical School researchers have uncovered crucial insights into how an emerging class of antiviral drugs works.

30 Dec 2025

Engineered herpes virus activates potent immune responses against glioblastoma

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have modified a herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) that stimulates the immune system to attack glioblastoma cells.

4 Dec 2025

Nasal vaccine shows promise as a non-invasive treatment for cervical cancer

Cervical cancer, which affects the reproductive tract, is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide.

12 Nov 2025

Pin1 inhibitors could reduce or stop outbreaks of herpes simplex virus 1

A class of antivirals called Pin1 inhibitors could reduce or stop outbreaks of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), the common infection behind oral herpes, according to new research published in Antiviral Research on July 25.

17 Oct 2025

Nasal spray of gold nanoparticles delivers lithium directly to the brain

In the form of a 'nasal spray', tiny gold particles act as carriers, delivering a treatment directly to the brain: developed by scientists at the Università Cattolica Rome campus/Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, a new nanotechnological device for the treatment and prevention of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.

8 Oct 2025

Discovery reveals hidden differences in herpes virus cultures

Matthew Taylor likened his recently published work alongside doctoral student Gary Dunn to kicking over a rock. Once the discovery was made, it was time to see what lay beneath.

3 Oct 2025

Do tongue piercings harm your oral health? Evidence points to yes

Researchers reviewed 19 studies on tongue piercings and found they carry significant oral health risks, including fractures, gum recession, infections, and rare systemic complications. The evidence base is limited but highlights the need for clinician vigilance and patient awareness.

21 Sep 2025

Louisiana upholds its HIV exposure law as other states change or repeal theirs

When Robert Smith met his future girlfriend in 2010, he wanted to take things slowly. For Smith, no relationship had been easy in the years since he was diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.

21 Jul 2025

Genetically modified herpes virus shows promise against advanced melanoma

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which affects almost two-thirds of the world's population and is generally associated with oral herpes, may cause painful cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth.

9 Jul 2025

Herpes virus reshapes the human genome's architecture to aid its replication

Viruses are entirely dependent on their hosts to reproduce. They ransack living cells for parts and energy and hijack the host's cellular machinery to make new copies of themselves.

19 Jun 2025

Study uncovers how HSV-1 disables the brain's antiviral defense

Infections caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can lead to HSV-1 encephalitis-a rare but deadly condition that inflames the brain.

3 Jun 2025

Herpes virus infection linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk, study shows antiherpetic drugs may help

A large US case-control study found that people diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Use of antiherpetic medications was associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s in those with HSV-1.

21 May 2025

New drug candidate disrupts the link between herpes virus and Alzheimer’s disease

Studies suggesting that certain viral infections may influence the onset of Alzheimer's diseases are gaining attention. In this context, a domestic research team has succeeded in breaking the link between viral infection and Alzheimer's disease using a new treatment candidate.

16 May 2025

HIV uses circular RNAs to evade immunity and boost replication

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine have identified a never-before-seen mechanism that enables the human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1) to evade the body's natural defenses and use it to support its survival and replication.

13 May 2025

New approach to combat influenza and herpes with bean-based gum

In today's interconnected world, infectious diseases pose an escalating threat, as demonstrated by the coronavirus pandemic and outbreaks of H1N1, SARS, Ebola, Zika, and H5N1 (bird flu) viruses-all of which have had significant global health and economic impacts.

4 Apr 2025

Herpes infection through the nose can lead to anxiety, motor impairment and cognitive deficits

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is commonly known for causing blisters and sores. But in some cases, the virus can migrate to the eye or nervous system, causing severe, chronic symptoms.

10 Mar 2025

New target identified for preventing cold sores and genital herpes

Scientists have a new target to prevent cold sores after University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers discovered an unexpected way the herpes virus re-activates in the body.

28 Feb 2025

Study shows how herpes viruses contribute to Alzheimer's disease in aging brains

Researchers from Cleveland Clinic's Genome Center outlined the pathway human herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV1) can use to contribute to Alzheimer's disease in aging brains.

24 Feb 2025

Infant exposure to herpes virus may cause memory problems later in life

Very early exposure to even a very small dose of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in infant mice can lead to cognitive decline later in life, according to findings from a new Dartmouth-led study, in collaboration with Harvard Medical School and published in the journal PLoS Pathogens.

19 Feb 2025

Cancer-fighting virus T-VEC helps shrink tough-to-treat skin tumors

Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) demonstrates efficacy in cutaneous BCC, enhancing resectability and altering immune cell composition with low adverse events.

30 Jan 2025