What is the history of viruses

Viruses, in some sense, have been known to human societies for thousands of years, mainly that some forms of illnesses can be contagious. Even relatively early evidence from nearly 4000 years ago suggests people understood that it was necessary to quarantine infected individuals. While that has been the case, our specific understanding of viruses and the knowledge of their existence is far more recent.

Early Understanding of Viruses

Early evidence from Mari, a city in modern Syria, indicates by about 4000 year BP, people who had symptoms of the cold or flue were isolated from other individuals. There is no indication that anyone understood what caused such sicknesses, but it is clear that they understood that viral infections could spread, leading to the creation of a type of quarantine system with isolated rooms built for sick individuals. In the Roman Period, we also have detailed accounts of what can be described as small pox. Galen Pergamum, who worked as Marcus Aurelius' personal physician, describes a sickness with fever that caused vomiting and diarrhoea. Boils in the skin were also observed, with the Romans realizing that these disease probably occurred in crowded places. However, there is no evidence of large-scale attempts at prevention, except perhaps isolating infected individuals. Like many cultures, the Roman interpreted outbreaks as punishment from the gods for events or offenses they may have committed.