When the word herpes is used, it's usually meant to reference a case of genital herpes. The herpes virus actually comes in several forms, but the most common herpes virus form by far is herpes simplex. The two variations of herpes simplex are, naturally enough, herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2.
Oral herpes is typically caused by herpes simplex 1, though herpes simplex 1 can, on rare occasion, cause a case of genital herpes. Genital herpes is typically caused by herpes simplex 2, though herpes simplex 2 can also, rarely, cause oral herpes.
Herpes is an exceptionally common virus, likely surpassed in commonness only by the virus causing a typical cold. It's believed that eighty to ninety percent of all adults are infected with herpes simplex 1. Herpes simplex 2 is significantly less frequent, but still fairly common with an infection rate of roughly twenty percent of all adults.
Not all cases of herpes are symptomatic. In herpes simplex 2 cases, up to ninety percent of infected persons aren't aware of their status because symptoms either are not present or are not unique enough to be recognized. When a herpes infection does present symptoms, the symptoms are typically an outbreak of blisters, or lesions.
Herpes is a transmittable condition, especially during a symptom outbreak. It was once believed that herpes transmission could only happen if a symptoms outbreak were occurring, but evidence now demonstrates that the herpes virus can be on the skin surface, and thus can be transmitted, even when no visible signs of an outbreak are present. The presence of herpes virus at the surface of the skin without symptoms being present is known as asymptomatic shedding.
When herpes is transmitted, the path to infection is skin-to-skin contact. Intimate skin-to-skin contact is the way that herpes is spread. Secondary objects, such as a toilet seat or some other public resource, are not means for passing a herpes infection. Herpes is transmitted when people have intimate physical contact, usually while an outbreak is ongoing.
Herpes infections can absolutely be a nuisance and can be physically uncomfortable as well, but a herpes infection is not considered a serious health threat. A person's general health state is not compromised from a herpes infection. The only possible exceptions to this are herpes infections in infants -- typically infants become infected with herpes from a genital herpes infected mother -- and herpes infections in persons with seriously compromised immune systems.
A trait of any case of herpes is symptom consistency. When herpes symptoms do take place, they remain in the area of the body where infection initially occurred, and don't move about.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Transmission of oral HSV2 to someone who already has genital HSV2
By: Curious | 15-07-2008
I have HSV2 both orally and genitally. My oral outbreaks are quite frequent, even while taking 500mg x 2 of Valtrex. If my partner has HSV2 genitally, but not orally, can I transmit oral HSV2 to him from kissing, even though he has the antibodies against HSV2?
I need to know the percentage of spread of herpes ...
By: asfia syed | 09-06-2008
I need to know the percentage of spread of herpes and siphylus at nursing homes in Britain
I am worried I have herpes
By: wondering | 29-05-2008
I am worried I have herpes. I had sex with a condom 7 weeks ago. About 1-2 weeks later a group of pimple like bumps started to form on the base of my penis. 13 total. They did not itch or cause any pain. 3 weeks afterwards, i came down with the flu. 4 weeks later, the bumps started to go down. They seemed like they were filled with fluid but they did not itch or burst at all. 5 weeks later i went to see a medic who said i have nothing to worry about because if they were herpes, they would itch cause pain and would have bursted open by now. So now 7 weeks later. the bumps have gone down significantly but they are still quite visible and have not completely gone away. They are quite small now, skin colored, but some seem to be filled with clear liquid or puss? I've been reading about the symptoms for herpes and they state that they would go away after about 2-3 weeks. this being the 7th week, i'm am getting worried. If they are not herpes, what are they?
Will i catch genital herpes from my partner if he ...
By: sarah | 26-05-2008
will i catch genital herpes from my partner if he has had three blisters on his lips, when we had oral?
Can herpes spread if i drink water from a cup that ...
By: janaka | 20-05-2008
can herpes spread if i drink water from a cup that a infected person drink or use a towel that infected person use or eat something that a infected person eat?
Is this herpies?
By: qwert | 15-05-2008
im not sure if i have herpies. i dont think so as i have not had sexual intercourse. however, a rash forms on the top of the shaft which comes every couple of months, it is extremely itchy at some stages....it doesnt form ulcers tho, its just red. there are 'dots' tho that are a deeper colour red.
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