In the first century CE, Roman Emperor Tiberius made an unprecedented decision, banning kissing at all public events.
This move was aimed at thwarting a puzzling outbreak, which many historians believe was an epidemic of oral herpes.
Fast-forward to today, and more than half the population is infected with herpes simplex virus, though as many as ninety percent of those infected don't actually know they have it.
The term herpes virus refers to a whole family of viruses, but what we typically call the condition of herpes is caused by two viruses in particular: herpes simplex one and two, or HSV-1 and HSV-2.
While similar, they tend to infect different parts of the body.
HSV-1 is typically associated with oral herpes, which causes cold sores on the mouth.
Genital herpes can be caused by either virus, though it's more often caused by HSV-2.
Other body parts, such as fingers and eyes, can also be infected by either virus.
Regardless of location or type, HSV enters the body through microscopic breaks in the skin or mucous membranes, like the mouth and genitals.
Once inside, viral proteins hijack the cellular machinery to replicate and spread.
