Herpes
Herpes, a viral infection caused by herpes simplex viruses, has plagued humans since we lived only in Africa. It came to our species from chimpanzees through another, unknown, hominid.
Depending on which specific herpes simplex virus one has caught, it may cause unsightly and painful blisters on the face, particularly around the mouth (HSV-1, or orofacial herpes); or genitals (HSV-2, or genital herpes). It spreads through direct contact with the lesions and saliva of those infected, and also passes from mother to baby. It infects the patient for life, never going away, though infections do go latent for long periods of time (sometimes remaining completely asymptomatic) before flaring up again. No one in the Fourth World or the Fifth knows of a cure.
#Potential Cultural Impacts
In small, nomadic hunter-gatherer groups, herpes may break out sporadically, but not spread very far. Larger, more settled horticultural communities will have a harder time controlling the spread of this disease (as with other diseases). The spread of herpes into a large community may even push their cultural mores toward monogamy and away from polyamory, as those with more sexual partners will have a higher likelihood of suffering from, and spreading, this infection.
#Fifth World Treatments
While no known cure exists, a healer can help relieve the symptoms of herpes flare-ups. Some preliminary studies show potential benefit from treatment with monolaurin (found in coconut oil and propolis, a product of honeybees), L-lysine (found in meat), aspirin, lemon balm, and licorice root cream. Thus, healers in the Fifth World may make and prescribe topical ointments with a base of propolis and/or coconut oil (depending on access to honeybees), lemon balm, and licorice root. They may also encourage those suffering from herpes to eat lots of meat and drink willow bark tea. Those who live in mountainous regions may also make use of Prunella vulgaris, which also shows potential in treating the symptoms of herpes.