Herpes simplex virus1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), also known as human herpesvirus 1 and 2 (HHV-1 and HHV-2), are two members of the herpesvirus family, Herpesviridae

, that infect humans

.[1]

Both HSV-1 (which produces most cold sores

) and HSV-2 (which produces most genital herpes) are ubiquitous

and contagious

. They can be spread when an infected person is producing and shedding

the virus. Herpes simplex can be spread through contact with saliva, such as sharing drinks.

Symptoms of herpes simplex virus infection

include watery blisters

in the skin

or mucous membranes

of the mouth, lips or genitals.[1]

Lesions heal with a scab

characteristic of herpetic disease. Sometimes, the viruses cause very mild or atypical symptoms during outbreaks. However, as neurotropic and neuroinvasive viruses

, HSV-1 and -2 persist in the body by becoming latent and hiding from the immune system

in the cell

bodies of neurons

. After the initial or primary infection, some infected people experience sporadic

episodes of viral reactivation or outbreaks. In an outbreak, the virus in a nerve cell becomes active and is transported via the neuron's axon

to the skin, where virus replication and shedding occur and cause new sores

Did you know:

•Statistically about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men have hsv, man to woman transmission is more efficient than woman to man transmission

•Hsv testing is NOT on the standard std panel and must be asked for specifically, so go get tested again cause you may very well have it.

• Most people w hsv are asymptomatic or have VERY mild symptoms that people commonly count as "something else", blisters aren't the only symptom.

•Cold sores ARE herpes, their medical name is Herpes Simplex Virus 1, so if you've ever had one you have herpes.

•Hsv is a skin to skin contact virus, it lives in your nerve endings not your blood or any bodily fluids. Making condoms only 30% effective to its transmission.

•Hsv is NOT automatic. W meds and condoms and your partner paying attention to their body, transmission can be a preventable thing. I've heard of couples being together 10,20 yrs and no transmission.

•HSV doesn't discriminate and it can happen to ANYONE, you don't have to sleep w a whore to get it and it doesn't make you one if you have. If someone was brave enough to tell you something that society looks down upon w such disgust and respected your body enough to let you choose to be w them or not don't be a ****ing douche cause the next man/woman may have it and not give a **** to tell you.