Who Discovered the Herpes Virus?
It is not possible to give an exact date or person who discovered the Herpes Virus. First of all, there are several types. The Epstein-Barr virus was first documented in 1964, but not found to be a Herpes virus until 1968. Human Herpes Virus 3 was first documented by J. Ramsay Hunt in 1907. There are 35 Herpes viruses identified in non-human primates. One, Cercopithecine Herpes Virus 1 (B Virus), was first documented as an infection in 1932. First reports of a Herpes Virus date to at least 2500 BC.
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Beginning in Ancient Greece
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The ancient Greeks, invented the word, "herpes" meaning "creeping" or "crawling." The works of Hippocrates cite this. Descriptions of what appears to be the Herpes Virus appear from the Ebers Papyrus (1500 BC). The Roman Emperor Tiberius tried to cure a public outbreak of Herpes by forbidding kissing during public ceremonies. The first modern publication of the link between genital organs and Herpes was published in 1736 by John Astruc, doctor for King Louis XIV of France. He had gathered his data from observing French prostitutes. In 1883, Herpes was described by Dr P.G. Unna, a German dermatologist. Thirteen years later, Dr. Alfred Fournier, a French dermatologist, described diagnosing and treating Genital Herpes. His advice was to "forbid alcohol, tobacco and sexual excesses."
Research Continues
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Jean Baptiste Emile Vidal, a French dermatologist, in 1893 reported evidence that Herpes was infectious. It was only in 1970 that Genital Herpes was acknowledged as a sexually transmitted infection. Some in the medical profession believe the public's knowledge of the disease only became widespread after Time magazine wrote a cover story on Herpes in 1982. In the 1980s, anti-viral drug therapy became available.
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Chickenpox and Herpes
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The Varicella-Zoster Virus had been recorded often, but there was no way to distinguish this virus from Chickenpox. In 1888, Janus Von Bokay suggested that chickenpox and Herpes Zoster were related. It was not until Weller and Stoddard in 1952 isolated viruses from Chickenpox and Herpes Zoster that this was confirmed.
The Epstein-Barr Virus
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In 1964, one of the most common viruses in humans, Human Herpes Virus 4, or HHV-4, was discovered by the team of Anthony Epstein and Yvonne Barr and Bert Achong and renamed the Epstein-Barr Virus.
Nearly 40 Different Types
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All variant forms of Herpes are different. HSV-1 or Herpes Simplex One are cold sores that generally appear near the mouth. Herpes Simplex Two is usually found in the area of the genitals. Varicella-Zoster Virus, or "shingles," appears as a painful skin rash. There is also Eye Herpes and Herpes Simplex Encephalitis, a serious condition of the brain.
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