Space travel provokes outbreak of herpes of astronauts

Dormant viruses

Tests show that dormant herpes viruses are reactivated in more than half of astronauts traveling on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, according to a new study by NASA – a phenomenon that, according to the report space agency, could pose a problem for distant space missions.

"During spaceflight, the secretion of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which are known to suppress the immune system, is increasing," said Satish Mehta, author of the report. study, in a press release. "In the same vein, we find that the immune cells of astronauts, especially those that normally suppress and eliminate viruses, become less effective during spaceflights and sometimes up to 60 days later. "

Less efficient

In a research published last month in the journal Frontiers in MicrobiologyMehta and her colleagues found that astronauts lost more herpes viruses in their urine and saliva than before or after their journey into space. They suspect that the culprit is just the stress of spaceflight.

"NASA astronauts endure weeks or months of exposure to microgravity and cosmic radiation, not to mention the extreme G forces of take-off and reentry," Mehta said in a press release. "This physical challenge is compounded by more well-known stressors, such as social separation, isolation and a modified sleep-wake cycle."

Minor symptoms

Fortunately, the symptoms were relatively rare. According to the newspaper, of only 89 astronauts studied, only six have had herpes outbreaks in space, a rate of about 7%.

Viral shedding has also been worsening since astronauts have long remained out of the Earth, which has led researchers to worry that the phenomenon could represent a challenge for traveling in the world. the distant spaces.

"Even if only a small proportion develops symptoms, the rate of virus reactivation increases with the duration of space flight and could pose a significant risk to health during missions to Mars and beyond," reads the release. Press.

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