Principal Viral STIs: Genital Herpes
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Genital herpes is an STI caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types: type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). The HSV-1 is more often the infection of the mouth and lips including cold sores or fever blisters. The HSV-2 is acquired during sexual contact with someone who had genital HSV-2 infection. HSV-2 is more common than HSV-1. Approximately 16% or 1 in 6 persons aged 14-49 have HSV-2. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected. HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more often causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called fever blisters. HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or genital-genital contact with a person infected with HSV-1. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks occur less regularly than genital HSV-2 outbreaks.