(HSV). There are two types of HSV: HSV-1 and
HSV-2. HSV-1 infects about 80% of the U.S. population and usually appears on
the lips in cold sores. HSV-2 is usually appears on the genital area. However,
both HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses can cause herpes outbreaks in either area.
While HSV can be a frustrating and painful
condition for some people, in general the virus is less a medical problem than a
social problem. For most of us, genital herpes is no more dangerous than a cold
sore.
Most people with genital herpes don't know they
have it, and are unaware they may be spreading it to others. Many have no
symptoms or mistake their symptoms for something else, such as jock itch,
insect bites, hemorrhoids, yeast infections, razor burn, or allergies to
laundry detergent.
