Chicken pox virus survives to often emerge decades later as shingles

By Isaac Schmiesing, ONU student pharmacist
With Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

As the official rock song of Ohio and with an association to The Ohio State University, Hang on Sloopy is one of the most well-known songs in Ohio. Interestingly, the version most fans and people have come to know, and love is not considered to be the original song.

In 1964, this song was originally written by the Vibrations, a rhythm and blues group, titled My Girl Sloopy where it reached 26 on the Billboard chart. It is thought the inspiration came from Dorothy Sloop, an Ohio University jazz singer from Steubenville, Ohio. 

Throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, different versions of Hang on Sloopy were performed all over Ohio with notable bands including the Yardbirds, with legendary guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. The most popular version of this song was released by the McCoys, for which it reached #1. 

The McCoys’ version of Hang on Sloopy can be heard at Ohio sporting events, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Cleveland Guardians and The Ohio State Buckeyes. Following the chorus, many fans will signify “O-H-I-O” with their hands.

In addition to the association with Ohio, the meaning behind the song is to hang onto true love despite the challenges of everyday life. 

So, how do viruses and this well-known song relate? 

Viruses act in a way that the McCoys portrayed love in Hang on Sloopy. Once a virus infects a person, they will cling inside different parts of the body in a similar way to people clinging onto love. Viruses will hide in particular spots throughout our body that medications or our own immune system cannot reach. These viruses may produce symptoms lasting for an extended period of time or lay dormant (sleeping) waiting to reactivate.

In August 2023, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine evaluated the correlation between prior COVID-19 viral exposure and the loss of taste. After performing various tests, they determined people who lost taste still had the virus in their tongue and taste buds even one and half years after the initial infection.  

In another study, researchers from Duke examined the correlation between long-term loss of smell and COVID-19. They found the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains in the nerves of the nose and affects the cell repair process months after exposure. 

As a pharmacy student, I still hear numerous stories about people not being able to smell or taste the same after getting a COVID-19 infection. I am sure many readers have heard similar stories. 

With the concerns about the impact of long COVID-19 on the body, there is an urgency to find other viruses that can produce long-lasting effects to assist in diagnosis and treatment. 

In a study published in The Lancet, researchers found COVID-19 is not the only respiratory virus with lasting effects. With 1,700 United Kingdom residents examined, the study found other respiratory conditions such as the flu, pneumonia, bronchitis and the common cold could have long-lasting effects similar to the way COVID-19 does after initial exposure. However, the lasting effects were different. With COVID-19, the symptoms seen were loss of taste and smell, hair loss, unusual sweating, higher heart rate and memory problems. As for the other respiratory infections, the common symptoms were coughing, stomach pain and diarrhea. 

The researchers did not specify the reason for the long-term effects, but based on our new knowledge of COVID-19, there has been speculation these viruses hide in the tissues and cells throughout the body affected by the virus. The flu virus has been known to hide in the intestinal tract, so the stomach pain and diarrhea are not surprising symptoms. 

For years, healthcare professionals have been aware that the chicken pox virus survives quietly in the nerve endings of the body to often emerge decades later as shingles. So this new research about other viruses hanging on is not surprising.  For healthcare providers, this information is exciting in the development of different diagnoses and treatment options.

So, what does this new finding mean?  The importance of prevention, especially in avoiding infections. 

With flu and RSV season and winter rapidly approaching, it is important to help our body fight off these viruses. Vaccination is one of the best ways in preventing these respiratory infections and reducing overall symptoms. 

By getting the vaccine, your body will be able to recognize and attack these viruses in a quicker, more controlled manner leading to milder symptoms and lower chance of hospitalization. COVID, flu, and RSV are all viral respiratory conditions with an available vaccine. 

The CDC recommends that people 12 years and older who got COVID-19 vaccines before September 12, 2023, should get another booster dose of either Moderna, Pfizer, or Novavax. As for the flu vaccine, it is recommended as a yearly vaccine around October to November. The RSV vaccine is recommended for a subset of individuals over the age of 60 years or those who are pregnant. Consult your healthcare professional to see if it’s right for you. 

Do not let these viruses hang on like the McCoys wanted Sloopy to hang on! Getting vaccinated would help!