Herpes Simplex Viruses under microscope:
The virus that causes cold sores is caused by is the Herpes Simplex Virus.
This virus comes in two forms - the Oral Herpes type (type 1), and the Genital Herpes type (type 2). Cold Sores are caused by type 1, which is abbrieviated with the symbol HSV-1. This virus is present in 80-90% of adults, because it is easily spread and has no permanent cure. Despite this, only about 30% of the population are affected with the fluid filled blisters known as cold sores.
HSV was first documented by the Ancient Greeks especially Hippocrates, the so-called "father of medicine," who described the spreading, naming the disease Herpes, meaning, "To creep or crawl," relating to the nature of it spreading from person to person.
Scientists suggest that HSV was present since Homo sapiens first existed in Ethopia around 200,000 years ago. This evidence was found by analysing genes from remains of those species. The spread of HSV followed the spread of humans, therefore the virus' spread can be shown with a map of human migration. Modern Humans and HSV first moved out of Africa about 100,000 years ago, into Europe and the coasts of Asia. The disease had hitched a ride all the way into South East Asia and Australia by 50,000 years ago, and shortly after a group went inland Asia, crossing the Bering Strait (it was above sea level back then) to arrive at the Americas, reaching the tip of south America by 1,000 years ago, about 1100 CE.
Map of Human and HSV spread:
This virus comes in two forms - the Oral Herpes type (type 1), and the Genital Herpes type (type 2). Cold Sores are caused by type 1, which is abbrieviated with the symbol HSV-1. This virus is present in 80-90% of adults, because it is easily spread and has no permanent cure. Despite this, only about 30% of the population are affected with the fluid filled blisters known as cold sores.
HSV was first documented by the Ancient Greeks especially Hippocrates, the so-called "father of medicine," who described the spreading, naming the disease Herpes, meaning, "To creep or crawl," relating to the nature of it spreading from person to person.
Scientists suggest that HSV was present since Homo sapiens first existed in Ethopia around 200,000 years ago. This evidence was found by analysing genes from remains of those species. The spread of HSV followed the spread of humans, therefore the virus' spread can be shown with a map of human migration. Modern Humans and HSV first moved out of Africa about 100,000 years ago, into Europe and the coasts of Asia. The disease had hitched a ride all the way into South East Asia and Australia by 50,000 years ago, and shortly after a group went inland Asia, crossing the Bering Strait (it was above sea level back then) to arrive at the Americas, reaching the tip of south America by 1,000 years ago, about 1100 CE.
Map of Human and HSV spread: