Herpes Facts
There are 8 known herpes viruses:
- Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV 1), usually associated with cold sores or fever blisters on the lips, nose, chin and other facial areas, but can infect genitals
- Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV 2), usually associated with genital infections, but can infect the face
- Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), which causes chicken pox and shingles
- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is the most common cause of mononucleosis
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV 6), which causes roseola in children
- Human Herpes Virus 7 (HHV 7), which causes a rash in older children
- Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV 8), which causes Kaposi’s Sarcoma, a cancer seen mostly in people living with AIDS
More Herpes Facts
Herpes, in its common usage, refers to the herpes simplex viruses, of which there are two types: type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2).
Approximately 80% of US adults have oral/facial herpes, usually caused by HSV-1.
Approximately 25% of US adults (roughly 45 million adults) have genital herpes, usually caused by HSV-2.
One million new cases of genital herpes occur each year.
Up to 90% of people with genital herpes don’t know they have it, as their symptoms are often mild, mistaken for another condition, or nonexistent.
Genital herpes is transmitted sexually and can be spread at any time, not only during outbreaks.
Though there is no cure, there are treatment options available that can reduce the severity, frequency and duration of outbreaks, as well as minimize the risk of infecting sexual partners.
If you wish to know more than just the herpes facts, you may want to consider joining our herpes suppport group. Sometimes talking with other people can help you process the herpes facts in a whole different way. Everyone copes with a diagnosis of herpes differently.