The medical community estimates 50% to 80% of adults have oral herpes such as cold sores and fever blisters, and 20% of Americans have genital herpes. Almost 90% of people with genital herpes don't know they are infected.
Types
The two types of herpes are Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1), which causes sores on the lips and mouth (sometimes genital), and Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2), which causes genital herpes.
Considerations
Symptoms can be different from person to person. Some people experience no early symptoms, while others have painful sores. The first outbreak is the worst, and outbreaks occur less often and are less severe as years go on.
Identification
Either oral or genital herpes may cause itching or burning at the site of infection and flu-like symptoms with a first outbreak of the virus. Both will usually lead to blisters or open sores.
Identification
Genital herpes can also be detected by painful urination and genital area discharge.
Warning
Like with many illnesses, symptoms vary from person to person and infection doesn't only happen when sores are present. Asymptomatic Transmission, or "shedding," can occur while the virus is dormant in the nervous system.
Tags: first outbreak, from person, from person person, genital herpes, genital herpes, Herpes simplex, Herpes simplex type