"What Is
Herpes?"
Herpes is a virus, known as HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus), of which there are
two types.
HSV Type 1 - Known as HSV-1 and is
the main cause of oral herpes lesions, often called fever blisters or cold
sores. HSV-1 less frequently causes genital herpes, but it is becoming
more commonplace.
HSV Type 2 - Known as HSV-2 and is
the primary cause of genital herpes. Genital herpes is a sexually
transmitted disease, also known as an STD, which is spread by having
vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person who has the herpes simplex virus.
The Herpes virus is one of the most prevalent STD's in the US today,
afflicting at least 1 in 5 people. And once a person gets genital
herpes, it stays in the body for life.
Anyone that has vaginal, oral, or anal sex with a partner that has genital
herpes can become infected and women are more susceptible to it than
men.
Herpes is not life threatening, but it can get in the way of life.
