Herpes History

Anyone in this world can get this kind of contagious virus. Even fearless samurais, soldiers, and heroes. Everyone is capable of getting Genital herpes as long as you're sexually active. Those people, specifically men, who are addicted to sex because it enhances their manly figure are the usual victims of this disease. But even though you're not doing sexual acts, you might be infected also. If you see small blisters that are filled with fluid and are painful around your genitals or on your skin, you might already have Genital Herpes.

Where did Herpes disease come from? It originates from the the virus called Herpes Simplex type 2 or HSV-2. When this virus enters your skin, it stays in your skin's nerve cells or it goes to your nervous system. If your mother had Herpes during her very crucial pregnancy, you are most likely to have one, too, because Herpes virus is contagious. Sometimes, the virus subsides but stress, illness, sunburn, and injury awakens the virus. Some symptoms include a numb sensation, burning, tingling, and small and painful blisters. You might also feel weak and might have fever.

The first thing you can do is to consult your doctor. He will ask about your health history and might let you undergo certain physical examination. Your laboratory test result will show if you're infected or not. So, if you see some blisters around your genitals or your anus and butt cheeks, you might want to consult a doctor before the virus spreads all through out your body. This virus is actually incurable, but early diagnostics will help you prevent greater suffering.

Herpes is a disease that can affect anyone, anytime, anywhere in a manner that no one can escape unless they took necessary precautions. The disheartening truth is that even innocent children can be tainted with a serious viral disease that can be fatal to them. But I know that parents of these infected children did everything they can to protect them against the ailment. Besides, only a fool of a mother would want their kids exposed to harm right? I was eating breakfast this morning with my family while watching the usual morning show when a certain new report caught our attention. It stated that getting the viral disease during pregnancy can bring disastrous effects to the newborn child especially to the last trimester. This condition is called neonatal herpes wherein there is a heightened danger to a baby when a mother acquires the disease in the late phase of her pregnancy because there is a lack of time for mothers to form antibodies that will protect the fetus inside the womb against the disease. Babies have a few source of antibodies to fight the infection but then again, it's immune system is still young that they are still vulnerable to acquiring the sickness.

I immediately stared at my elder sister who works in a hospital in Syracuse, New York as a pediatrician. She just nodded her head to say that such a thing can happen, unfortunately, to children as young as a week old. Devastating as it may seem, she said that most hospitals today are routinely checking if mothers have German measles, genital herpes, or orals herpes that may cause harm to their bundle of joy. If I remember clearly, I think my sister said that they are doing a series of research for pregnant mothers infected by the disease if they can provide them a series of vaccine or certain medication.

Hippocrates may be the first person to recognize herpes but William Shakespeare also mentioned the disease in one of his most famous novels, Romeo and Juliet. In the story, a character named Queen Mab had the line: "O'er ladies lips, who straight on kisses dream, which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues, because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are." I guess you already recognized that the blisters on the lips are herpes. Shakespeare was proven to be right on the money when Vidal discovered that the herpes simplex infection can be transmitted from one person to the other in 1893.

Before the 19th century, people had difficulty determining the difference between small pox and herpes. In 1888, Bokay suggested that herpes and chicken pox were caused by the same agent. It wasn't until the virus from both complications were isolated and studied to confirm that chicken pox and the herpes zoster are caused by the same virus.

The research on HSV reached new height in the 20th century when several studies discovered multinucleated giant cells that are associated with the herpes virus infection. In 1919, Shakespeare's words were proven true by Lowenstein when he discovered the infectious nature of HSV. In the years that followed, the history of HSV was observed and studied. Around 1920 and 1930, it was discovered that herpes not only affected a person's skin, but also affects the central nervous system.

Herpes is an ancient disease that still has no modern cure. Herpes infection has been known even during the ancient times of Greek city-states. The sexual promiscuity of Greeks may have been the main reason for the prevalence of herpes infection during that time.

One reference of herpes infection during the Elizabethan era was in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet when the dialogue of one character of this play, Queen Mab says: "O'er ladies lips, who straight on kisses dream, which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues, because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are." This clearly refers to herpes infection in the mouth area.

Contracting the herpes virus always puts a person in a difficult situation. Yet there is no better choice other that standing up, facing the disease, and moving on. A change in lifestyle is one of the best approaches in order to deal with herpes and prevent its future outbreak

If you have a history of the sexually transmitted disease, observe a healthy lifestyle by having a nutritious diet always. Moreover, exercise regularly and take the time to relax or rest. Then avoid being stressed. These practices can help reduce future herpes attacks.

The disease also affects a person emotionally and psychologically. Hence, the support of family and friends or a counselor is also needed.

Several virus strains have been isolated through Herpes simplex virus research. These viruses were only discovered recently. Herpes has been known to exist since the Hellenic era, when Hippocrates was the best medicine man around and the Greeks call it "Herpes" which means to crawl--an apt description of the nature of HSV.

Only after Vidal has discovered it that Herpes became a major medical concern. Research has begun during the 20th century. Several viruses such as Varicella-Zoster Virus (associated with chickenpox), Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus have been associated with it.

Herpes has been known even during the time of Hippocrates when herpes virus infections have been prevalent during the time of ancient Greek city states. The word herpes was derived from the same Greek word, which literally mean “to crawl” this was in reference to the tendency of herpes lesions and sores to spread. It was not until 1893, however, that the mechanism of human transfer of infection was recognized. During the early part of the twentieth century research on herpes had relatively advanced.

The history of herpes human infection dates back in the era of Greek city-states. During ancient times, herpes human infections have been prevalent among Greek which is perhaps due to their promiscuous sexual activities. The father of medicine, Hippocrates, is known to have described the disease and the cycle of its development and spreading. Herpes is a Greek word which literally means "to creep or crawl," this is in reference to the nature of herpes lesions to spread. It was in the twentieth century that the research regarding herpes simplex virus really advanced. The nature of the virus was studied and vaccines are being developed.