Dr. Sabrina Kendrick, Director of the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, talks about herpes

• What is Herpes 1?

  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.

• What are the statistics for Herpes 1?

  Herpes Simplex 1 (HSV-1) is the most common herpes virus and most people that contract it, develop it in childhood.HSV-1 often causes lesions inside the mouth, such as cold sores (fever blisters), or infections of the eye. It is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. By adulthood, up to 90% of people will have antibodies to HSV-1. If you test positive for HSV-1, there is no cause for alarm, only caution.

• What are the symptoms of Herpes 1 / Oral Herpes?

  For detailed information on symptoms of Oral Herpes, view the Oral Herpes Symptoms.

• How do you prevent transmission of Oral Herpes?

  Oral Herpes can be transmitted through skin to skin contact and the risk of transmission is highest when sores are present. To reduce the risk of transmission, do not touch the sores directly nor kiss or perform oral sex when sores are present.

• How do you test for Herpes 1?

  The test for Herpes 1 is the same as the test for Herpes 2 (genital herpes). getSTDtested.com uses a blood sample to test for Herpes.

• How do you treat Herpes 1?

  There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. In addition, daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to partners.

  Specific treatments for herpes simplex include the prescriptions Zovirax, Valtrex, and Famvir.

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov