Herpes
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Genital
herpes is a disease caused by the herpes simplex
virus (HSV). Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)
usually causes oral herpes. Symptoms are commonly
known as cold sores or fever blisters. In the past,
HSV-1 was not known to cause genital herpes, but
that is changing, especially among people who begin
having sex at a young age.
Type
2 (HSV-2) usually causes genital herpes. When it's
active, it travels to the surface of the infected
area and makes copies of itself, this is called
shedding. It is during this time that the virus
can rub off onto another person. Then the virus
travels back down the nerve, where it lies dormant
for a while.
Who
Gets Genital Herpes?
About one-fifth of all people aged 12 and up in
the U.S. are infected with the HSV-2 virus that
causes genital herpes, but as many as 90% don't
know it. Experts estimate 50% to 80% of adults have
oral herpes.
One
in four women compared with one in five men are
infected with genital herpes. One reason may be
that the virus can infect a woman's genitals more
easily than it can a man's. It becomes more common
as people age and the more sex partners people have.
How
Is Herpes Spread?
HSV-1 is usually passed from person to person by
kissing. HSV-1 can also spread from the mouth to
the genitals during oral sex. If this happens, it
becomes a case of genital herpes.
HSV-2
is most often passed by vaginal sex and anal sex.
But just as HSV-1 can infect the genitals and cause
genital herpes, HSV-2 can pass from one person's
genitals to another person's mouth, resulting in
oral herpes.
What
Are the Symptoms of HSV?
Symptoms of HSV typically appear as a blister or
as multiple blisters on or around the mouth, genitals
or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender sores.
Many people with HSV never have any symptoms or
they mistake the symptoms for some other skin irritation
like insect bites, ingrown hairs, or pimples.
