Herpes (Shalbeket) in judaic sources: a synopsis of a book in preparation.
It is generally accepted that the earliest reference to Herpes is that of the Greek historian Herodotus and was used as a description of various "creeping skin diseases"--approx. 2000 years ago. Herpes, known in Hebrew as Shalbeket (boil, vesicle) is mentioned in the Book of Exodus as early as about 3500 years ago. This is a significant revelation in medical history that the earliest reference to Herpes (shalbeket) was mentioned 3500 years ago as Shalbukin (vesicles) in conjunction with Shekhin. These names, "boils," "creeping" are two descriptions of the external signs of Herpes; indicative of the ability of the ancients to identify diseases by their external appearances and to deal with their medical and sociological aspects.
Romano
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Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Eye Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Gertz
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D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000266:history*; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007599:Judaism; D012068:Religion and Medicine