Why humans carry two distinct herpes viruses that evolved alongside our primate ancestors
In short: Most primate species host a single, unique herpesvirus that evolved in lockstep with their own lineage. Humans are an exception, carrying two distinct versions. This video examines the evolutionary history of these viruses and the research explaining how they became part of the human experience.
The evolutionary history of human herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 is complex. While typical primate herpesviruses diverged alongside their hosts, human infection patterns suggest a different story. Research published in 2014 by Wertheim et al. investigated these origins, highlighting that the human experience with these pathogens does not follow the standard primate model.
A 2017 study by Underdown et al. further explored the hominin origins of herpes simplex virus 2 using network analysis and fossil data. These studies collectively suggest that our relationship with these viruses is deeply rooted in our evolutionary past, spanning millions of years of interaction.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Two Viruses That We’ve Had For Millions of Years
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