Chickenpox is a childhood illness that many of us may remember as an itchy inconvenience.
But what you might not know is that the virus causing chickenpox doesn’t leave your body; it stays hidden and can resurface years later as shingles—a painful skin rash.
Now, scientists from the University of Georgia (UGA) have created a new molecule that not only fights the chickenpox and shingles virus but also shows promise against herpes. Here’s what you need to know.
Why This Research Matters
The varicella zoster virus is the culprit behind chickenpox and shingles. If you had chickenpox as a kid, the virus goes into hiding in your body.
It can wake up later, usually in adults, causing a painful rash known as shingles.
Additionally, this same family of viruses also causes herpes, which affects the mouth and genitals. Current medications to treat these conditions either don’t work very well or come with nasty side effects.
Even worse, many of these viruses are becoming resistant to drugs we use now, which makes them harder to treat.
Meet the Game-Changing Molecule: POM-L-BHDU
Researchers David Chu and Uma Singh at UGA have developed a molecule named POM-L-BHDU. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but the early results are promising.
This molecule can be given in different ways—you can swallow it, get it through a vein, or apply it as a cream. This makes it easier to use and more versatile than current treatments.
What’s even more exciting is that tests showed this molecule is even more effective at fighting the varicella zoster virus than existing drugs. It can also treat herpes simplex 1 and 2, which cause oral and genital herpes.
For those who are worried about side effects, here’s some good news. Because you can apply this molecule directly to the skin, less of it gets into the bloodstream. This means fewer side effects, which is always a plus.
What’s Next for This Treatment?
Because of its effectiveness, the researchers believe this cream could be sold over the counter, making it easy for people to get their hands on it without needing a doctor’s prescription.
This could be a game-changer for quick and easy treatment at home.
So far, POM-L-BHDU has been tested in the lab and on mice, and it’s shown to be effective. It has even been tested topically on human skin, and the results are promising.
The next step is to test it on actual human beings to make sure it’s safe and works as well as we hope. The UGA Research Foundation has licensed this molecule to a company called Anterogen Co., which will take it to the next phase of trials.
In a world where many people suffer from these uncomfortable and often painful conditions, this new molecule offers a glimmer of hope.
If all goes well, this could revolutionize how we treat chickenpox, shingles, and herpes, benefiting countless patients around the globe.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and scientists find how COVID-19 damages the heart.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about Aspirin linked to higher risk of heart failure, and results showing this drug could reduce heart disease, fatty liver, obesity.
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