Helen Edwards, a 74-year-old grandmother from Penrhyn-coch, Wales, has been left with brain damage caused by a cold sore virus. She first began feeling unwell on Sept. 5, 2025, with symptoms including a fever, nausea, fatigue and aches. A doctor initially thought she might have a urinary tract infection, but her condition worsened and she was diagnosed with viral encephalitis a week later. This was caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), also known as the Cold sore virus, which can cause cold sores and painful blisters. Edwards spent 12 weeks in the hospital and her recovery has been slow, particularly since returning home. Her daughter, Jane Richards, has urged families to monitor for signs of the condition.