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A study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology reveals that the immune system may have greater trouble controlling the herpes group cytomegalovirus (CMV) and preventing breakouts when it has to combat other viral or bacterial infections as well.

The researchers looked at a group of mice with latent herpes, and they observed that when the mice had a bacterial infection, their T-cells, or the "brakes", which control the CMV outbreaks, decreased in number.

"Because almost all people are infected by one or more herpes family viruses during their lifetime, the potential impact of these findings are significant," said research author Charles H. Cook, M.D., FACS, FCCM, director of surgical critical care at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. "We hope that by understanding how these latent viral infections are controlled that we can prevent reactivation events and improve people's lives."

Genital herpes statistics and transmission... Full Story