Human herpesvirus 1 is a member of the Herpesviridae family and belongs to the virus genus. The origin of the word “herpes” comes from the Greek meaning “to crawl”. This is a very apt description for a virus that causes sores that crawl and spread on the skin of an infected individual. Cases of sores caused by the herpes virus have been recorded as early as 400 BC. Included with the cold and flu virus, the herpes virus is an important cause of human viral diseases. The herpes virus is effective at causing outward symptoms of the disease, or it can be a master of camouflage and lie dormant for years, only to be revived and manifest its painful symptoms. A person infected with this virus can expect its manifestations throughout his life. More than 95% of the adult population is infected with some form of the human herpes virus.(1) The herpes virus measures between 125 nm and 200 nm in diameter and has an icosahedral capsid enclosed in a envelope. Unlike the typical plasma membrane that is the origin of many viruses, the herpes virus has an organelle membrane. The surface of the envelope is dotted with distinct points. Beneath the coat are rows of proteins called tegument, which fill the space between the capsid and the coat. This encompasses virus-encoded proteins and enzymes related to the initiation of replication. The virus capsomere is shaped like an “O” with a diameter of 100 nm to 200 nm. The virus's double-stranded DNA genome is linear with approximately 125 to 290 kilobase pairs and can encode between 170 and 200 proteins. (2) Upon infection, the herpes virus will bind to neurons or epithelial cells. When determining a cellular host to bind to, the spikes middle of paper are used to relieve some of the painful symptoms associated with the virus. Certain medications decrease the overall number of outbreaks and help shorten the time it takes to heal and minimize the pain caused by an outbreak. Works cited1. L. Bilder, R. Elimelech, M. Szwarcwort-Cohen, Z. Kra-Oz, E. Machtei, The prevalence of human herpes viruses in the saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis compared to oral health care providers dental and healthy controls. Camber. Virol. 158, 1221-1226 (2013).2. JL Huff, PA Barry, B virus (cercopithecin herpesvirus 1) infection in humans and macaques: potential for zoonotic disease. Emerging infectious diseases. 9, 246 (2003).3. O. Akhova, M. Bainbridge, V. Misra, Neuronal host cell factor-binding protein Zhangfei inhibits herpes simplex virus replication. J. Virol. 79, 14708-14718 (2005).