The most recent common ancestor of the Eurasian strains appears to have evolved ~60,000 years ago.

[4] Herpes simplex virus 1 infects humans, most often as cold sores.

It is very common and contagious; about 67% of the world population under the age of 50 has Herpes simplex virus 1.

This species appears to be particularly damaging to the nervous system, and some research has attributed Herpes simplex virus 1 infection to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

The virus interacts with the components and receptors of lipoproteins, which may lead to the development of Alzheimer's disease.