BEING LOVED-UP LIKE FIGHTING OFF VIRUS

Romance is a real ‘sickness’

FALLING in love is like an illness for women, experts say.

It triggers genetic changes similar to those seen in people fighting a virus.

Scientists who took blood samples from 47 women to monitor physical conditions as they embarked on new relationships found love sickness is real.

In a research paper the experts said: “Falling in love is one of the most psychologically potent experiences in human life.

“New romantic love is accompanied not only by psychological changes but physiological changes as well.”

They found new love activates genes to produce interferon – a protein usually released to combat viruses.

“Falling in love is linked with up-regulation of interferon,” they said. The report added: “This is consistent with… innate immune responses to viral infections.” Links between new love and physical sensations such as palpitations and obsessive-thinking had made scientists suspect there could be underlying changes in behaviour. The study at the University of California in Los Angeles looked at how love affects genes governing the immune system. The findings suggest it may be possible to test people to see if they really are in love and if the emotion wanes over time. Falling out of love led to a reduction in the production of interferon. Love sickness may not occur in men as the changes seen in women are to prepare their bodies for pregnancy.