Can HHV-6 Be a Cofactor in SARS? HHV-6 is known to infect the lungs and is a chronic infection that can be reactivated or exacerbated by other conditions or infections. It has been linked to respiratory distress by itself. The good news is that if it is a contributing factor to SARS morbidity and mortality, it might be controlled by drugs like Foscarnet. Physicians would be wise consider the possibility the HHV-6 is aiding the SARS agent in harming the alveolar macrophages of the lungs of some or all of the SAR patients. It would be a great tragedy if any SARS patients are dying unnecessarily from the contribution that HHV-6 might be making to lung pathology in SARS.
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