A reference to herpes is usually a reference to infection with genital herpes. Although there are different variations of the herpes virus, 'and by far most common is herpes simplex. Herpes simplex, HSV in other words, exists in two strains: herpes simplex 1 and 2.

Herpes simplex 1 is usually responsible for cases of oral herpes, although in rare cases, herpes simplex 1 affects the genital area. Herpes simplex 2 is generally responsible in case of genital herpes, although herpes simplex 2 may, in rare cases, cause infection by oral herpes.

The herpes virus is exceptional, probably exceeded only by the commonness virus causing a typical cold. It is estimated that eighty to ninety percent of all adults are infected with herpes simplex 1. Herpes simplex 2 is much less common, but still quite common with an infection rate of about twenty percent of all adults.

Not all cases of herpes are symptomatic. In herpes simplex 2 cases, up to ninety percent of those infected are unaware of their status, or because the symptoms are not present or are not sufficiently unique to be recognized. When herpes infection not show symptoms, the symptoms are usually an outbreak of blisters or lesions.

Herpes is a transmissible, especially during an outbreak of symptoms. Once upon a time herpes believes that transmission could only happen if an outbreak symptoms occur, but now the evidence shows that the herpes virus may be on the surface of the skin and can therefore be transmitted, even in the absence of visible signs of an epidemic are present. The phenomenon of the herpes virus on the skin surface in the absence of a visible outbreak is known as asymptomatic shedding.

When herpes is transmitted, the path to infection of the skin-skin contact. Kissing, relationships, and other forms of intimate physical contact are the standard methods of transmission of herpes. Secondary objects, like a toilet seat or another public resource, are not the means of transmitting herpes infection. Herpes is transmitted when people have the intimate physical contact, usually while an outbreak is underway.

Herpes infections can definitely be a nuisance and can be physically uncomfortable as well, but a herpes is not considered a serious threat to health. A person's general health is not compromised by herpes infection. The only exceptions to this rule are herpes infections in infants - usually infants are infected with herpes, genital herpes from an infected mother - and herpes infections in people with severely compromised immune systems.

A trait of any cases of herpes is a symptom of consistency. When herpes symptoms occur, they remain in the region of the body where the infection took place initially, and do not move.