Type 1 diabetes may increase your risk of contracting certain herpesviruses, such as the virus that causes shingles. Vaccination and other prevention strategies may help reduce your risk.
Herpesviruses are a large family of DNA viruses commonly diagnosed in humans around the world. People with type 1 diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune condition affecting nearly
This article discusses how these conditions are related, if having T1D makes it easier to contract a herpesvirus, and how to protect yourself from one.
People with compromised immune systems, including those with T1D, are more susceptible to illnesses and infections. These may include herpesviruses, like herpes simplex (HSV) and varicella-zoster (VZV).
These viruses are extremely easy to transmit, even when someone isn’t showing symptoms.
Herpesviruses remain in your body’s nerve cells indefinitely. People living with diabetes may be at an increased risk of both contracting herpesviruses and experiencing an outbreak.
T1D and herpes simplex
HSV is a common infection that can cause painful blisters. There are two types of HSV:
- HSV-1: HSV-1 is the primary cause of oral herpes, with nearly 4 billion people under age 50 having this subtype of the virus.
- HSV-2: HSV-2 is rarer, affecting about 520 million people worldwide. It’s the primary cause of genital herpes.
Most HSV infections are asymptomatic. They result from skin-to-skin contact, and while treatments are available, they are incurable.
There’s not a lot of research explicitly linking T1D to HSV. However, an older study did link type 2 diabetes (T2D) to an increased risk of HSV-1.
T1D, herpes zoster, and postherpetic neuralgia
VZV is the virus that causes chickenpox. Before the
Herpes zoster (shingles) occurs after the reactivation of VZV, resulting in blisters and a rash. It can also cause postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication of shingles, which causes a burning pain in the nerves and skin.
Research shows that diabetes is a significant risk factor for both herpes zoster and PHN. Additionally, PHN appears both more severe and more persistent in people with diabetes than in those without diabetes.
While both types of diabetes increase the risk of herpes zoster, the risk appears to be greater with T1D, according to 2023 research. The risk of PHN was similar for both types.
Diabetes and other viruses
Having diabetes
This is because chronic high blood sugar levels add stress to your body, including the white blood cells of your immune system that work to fight off illnesses. When high blood sugar taxes your body, your immune system suffers due to chronic inflammation.
Having diabetes can make illnesses more severe and can make it harder for you to fight off sickness, cuts, wounds, and infections, including viruses.
Herpesviruses can sometimes be asymptomatic, but if you experience symptoms, they may be mild to moderate.
Common symptoms to look for include:
- blisters or open sores around the mouth and lips (HSV-1) or genitals or anus (HSV-2)
- painful bumps or open sores (HSV-1 and HSV-2)
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
- body aches
- sore throat (HSV-1)
- lethargy (VZV)
- skin rash, blotchy skin, or bumps filled with a milk-like liquid (VZV)
- scabs after blisters break (VZV)
You may also experience higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, dehydration, and develop ketones, especially if you live with T1D.
Call a doctor immediately if you’re experiencing new or worsening symptoms along with high blood sugar levels that will not come down.
Prevention is key. Getting the varicella vaccine will greatly reduce your risk of chickenpox and shingles. If you’ve already had chickenpox and you live with T1D, it’s a good idea to get the VZV vaccine to prevent shingles.
HSV-1 and HSV-2 are most contagious when sores are present but are also transmittable when no symptoms are visible.
Talk with your partner about their health and sexually transmitted infection (STI) history before engaging in sexual activity. Consistent and correct use of condoms is the best way to prevent HSV-2 and genital herpes.
Preventing HSV-1 may be more difficult, but avoid sharing utensils and drinks with others, and be careful when kissing others on the mouth, as the virus is transmissible even when no sores are present.
Vitamins C, D, E, and B complex can boost your immune system and reduce the frequency of outbreaks.
Antivirals may also help treat shingles if you start the regimen early enough. Three FDA-approved antiviral medications can treat herpes:
Talk with a doctor for more information.
Can herpes trigger type 1 diabetes?
If a virus’s antigens are similar to your body’s pancreatic beta cells, your immune system can sometimes start attacking your beta cells, resulting in T1D. Examples include rubella (German measles), mumps, and rotavirus. There’s also
Research from 2022 suggests that there may also be a link between herpesviruses and T1D, but more research is needed.
Does type 2 diabetes make you more susceptible to viruses like herpes?
Any type of diabetes makes you more susceptible to viruses, including herpes. Chronic high blood sugar levels cause inflammation and tax your immune system, making it more challenging to fight off infections like herpes.
Having T1D makes it easier to contract herpesviruses, such as herpes simplex (which causes cold sores and genital herpes) and herpes zoster (which causes shingles). This is because chronic high blood sugar levels cause inflammation and weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off infections like viruses.
If you’re experiencing painful blisters or open or oozing sores around your mouth or genitals and anus, or a painful rash with pus-filled blisters, contact a doctor right away. If you have T1D, symptoms of herpes may also include atypically high blood sugar and ketone levels, as well as dehydration.
If you’re able, getting the varicella or shingles vaccine may help reduce your risk of herpes zoster. You can also reduce the risk of viral spread by practicing safe sex, avoiding sharing utensils or drinks, and avoiding kissing others if they have open sores or blisters on their mouths.