Herpes Virus

It is estimated that 50 percent to 80 percent of the American adult population has oral herpes. 20 percent, over 50 million people, are infected with genital herpes, and the majority of these cases may be unaware they even have it.

Studies show that more than 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with genital herpes each year. Although there is no cure to date, efforts to develop a vaccine by biotechnology companies are ongoing.

Until an effective vaccine or cure for HSV infection is found, the prevailing approach to treatment continues to be suppressive antiviral therapy.

Herpes spreads through intimate skin contact with an infected individual. Although the virus can be spread through contact with lesions or secretions, most transmission occurs from unrecognized lesions or asymptomatic shedding of the virus.

Transmission of the virus can occur when the infected partner does not have an active outbreak of blisters, ulcers, or other symptoms. Some individuals may never have any symptoms and may not know that they are infected with the herpes virus. However, they can still transmit the virus to others.

Oral herpes can be spread through kissing. Genital herpes is transmitted through sexual contact (vaginal, anal, and oral). The virus can be transmitted from oral to genital regions and vice versa during oral sex.