What is Herpes 1?

[getSTDtested Administrator]

Oral Herpes is cold sores or fever blisters on the mouth or facial area. The majority of oral herpes cases are caused by HSV-1 and the majority of genital herpes cases are caused by HSV-2; however, type-1 or type-2 can occur in either the genital or oral area.

About 50 percent to 80 percent of the adult population in the United States has oral herpes (commonly called cold sores or fever blisters), with as many as 90% having the virus by age 50.

Most people contract oral herpes when they are children by receiving a kiss from a friend or relative.

About one in five persons in the United States has genital herpes; however, as many as 90 percent are unaware that they have the virus. There are many reasons people do not know they have herpes (see below).






SOURCE: The American Social Health Association (ASHA)
http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes..._questions.cfm