Genital Herpes: Fast Facts
Reviewed By:
Timothy Yarboro, M.D.
- Genital herpes can be caused by two different herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2), although HSV-2 causes most cases. HSV-1 most commonly causes cold sores or fever blisters to appear on or around your mouth, lips or nose.
- The herpes virus can be transmitted through any form of sexual contact (vaginal, anal or oral) or skin contact with an infected area of the skin.
- Herpes can be transmitted even if the infected person is not currently having an outbreak. In fact, many people are not even aware they have genital herpes and can therefore infect their partners.
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that 90 percent of the U.S. population has been exposed to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), and 25 percent of the population ages 25 to 45 has been exposed to herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2).
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 45 million people ages 12 and older in the United States have been infected with genital herpes. That equals one out of five adolescents and adults.
- Between the late 1970s and the early 1990s, the number of Americans with genital herpes infection increased 30 percent. The percentage declined from the 1990s through 2004 (the last year for which statistics are available).
- Genital herpes is more common in women (about one in four women are infected) than in men (of whom almost one in five are infected).
- The American Social Health Association (ASHA) estimates that as many as 90 percent of people with genital herpes are unaware that they have it.
- According to ASHA, a person with genital herpes experiences, on average, four to five outbreaks a year. In general, the frequency of outbreaks and the severity of symptoms tend to decrease over time.
- Genital herpes cannot be cured, but the frequency and severity of outbreaks can be controlled with medication.
- The only 100 percent effective method of preventing genital herpes is abstinence, but condoms and limiting your number of sexual partners can help reduce your risk of contracting the disease.
