Viral infections can cause major brain issues, but research suggests the potentially positive effects as well.DALLE/Austin Perlmutterthe brain. This amplifies the existing theme of viruses being described as germs or “pathogens"—meaning they’re dangerous to our health. But the truth is that the story of viruses is much more nuanced. And now we’re learning that viruses may play a far larger role in our brain health than we ever imagined.
Other viruses are believed to smolder for decades, increasing inflammation at much lower levels and increasing the odds of developing chronic brain diseases. Herpes viruses are perhaps the best example: Chronic herpes infections are linked to brain issuesOne of the most amazing things about viruses is their ability to take over our cellular machinery for their own benefit. Viruses are incredibly small; to replicate, they rely on our cells to produce copies of themselves.