Herpes Simplex Viruses

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) commonly causes herpes labialis also called:

cold sores

fever blisters

oral herpes

The virus produces highly infectious open sores that crust over before healing.


Although less probable, HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes.

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is a contagious viral infection primarily causing genital herpes in men and women.

Symptoms of genital herpes include:

bumps

rashes in the genital areas

recurrent clusters of blisters

HSV-1 and HSV-2

HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause other diseases including:

Herpes simplex encephalitis

a rare but potentially fatal herpetic infection of the brain

Neonatal herpes

a rare but potentially severe HSV infection in a newborn
is caused by transmission of the virus from mother to baby during delivery

Herpetic whitlow

an HSV infection of the finger
caused from transfer of the infection from another part of the body or from direct contact with another
is more prevalent amongst health care workers

Herpes keratitis

an HSV infection of the eye
can cause blindness

Herpes gladiatorum

an HSV infection, usually of the skin, acquired during wrestling
skin can become abraded or scraped, during a wrestling match, allowing a herpes virus to enter the body and establish an infection

Unlike viruses such as influenza which can be transmitted through the air, herpes simplex viruses require physical contact.

They are frequently transmitted through:

mouth-to-mouth contact (HSV-1)

genital-to-genital contact (HSV-2)

hand-to-genital

mouth-to-genital

Source: http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/std/herpes.htm#self_help_remedies