You are right. The article does not differentiate between which form of herpes virus is linked with Alzheimer’s or that they know for sure, just that there is an apparent link with viruses or even bacteria. They are calling for more studies into these links. It was a very interesting article. I had not heard this before.
From the article:
Most people get HSV-1 (herpes simplex type 1) as an infant or child.
This virus can be spread by skin-to-skin contact with an adult who carries the virus. An adult does not have to have sores to spread the virus.
A person usually gets HSV-2 (herpes simplex type 2) through sexual contact.
Herpes simplex viruses spread from person to person through close contact. You can get a herpes simplex virus from touching a herpes sore. Most people, however, get herpes simplex from an infected person who does not have sores. Doctors call this “asymptomatic viral shedding.”
A person with HSV-1 (herpes simplex type 1) can pass it to someone else by: kissing, touching the person’s skin, such as pinching a child’s cheek, or sharing objects such as silverware, lip balm, or a razor.
You can get genital herpes after coming into contact with HSV-1 or HSV-2. Most people get genital herpes from HSV-2, which they get during sex. If someone has a cold sore and performs oral sex, this can spread HSV-1 to the genitals — and cause herpes sores on the genitals.
Once a person becomes infected with a herpes virus, the virus never leaves the body. After the first outbreak, the virus moves from the skin cells to nerve cells. The virus stays in the nerve cells forever. But it usually just stays there. In this stage, the virus is said to be dormant, or asleep. But it can become active again.