5 Facts About The Lesser-Known Realities of Herpes Simplex Virus

5 Top Facts

1. Common Infection: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is incredibly common, with the majority of people worldwide infected with HSV-1 (usually oral herpes) or HSV-2 (usually genital herpes).

2. Transmission Routes: HSV can be transmitted through direct contact with infected lesions, mucosal surfaces, genital secretions, and even through asymptomatic shedding of the virus.

3. Recurrence: After the initial infection, the virus remains dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate periodically, leading to recurrent outbreaks of symptoms.

4. No Cure: Currently, there is no cure for herpes simplex virus infections. Treatment aims to manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

5. Prevalence: HSV infections are more common in women than men, and the prevalence increases with age.

Top 5 Myths

1. Only Sexually Transmitted: While HSV-2 is primarily associated with genital herpes and is usually sexually transmitted, HSV-1, the oral herpes virus, can also cause genital herpes through oral-genital contact.

2. Always Symptomatic: Many people infected with HSV may never experience symptoms or have mild symptoms that go unnoticed, leading to underreporting and unawareness of infection.

3. Always Visible: Not all herpes outbreaks are visible. Some outbreaks may be so mild that they go unnoticed, or they may occur in locations not easily visible to the affected person.

4. Can Be Transmitted Through Objects: While HSV can survive for a short time on surfaces, transmission through inanimate objects like toilet seats or towels is extremely rare.

5. Impacts Fertility: While herpes can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth, it doesn't usually affect fertility in men or women. However, if a woman is actively having outbreaks during delivery, a C-section may be recommended to prevent transmission to the newborn.