Many people still believe there is a “good” and a “bad” herpes virus. The “good” herpes virus (HSV-1 – oral herpes) causes cold sores and a “bad” herpes virus (HSV-2 – genital herpes) causes genital herpes outbreaks.
Oral herpes outbreaks is caused by the herpes simplex virus Type 1 (HSV-1) and over half of the American population has oral herpes outbreaks. A further 10 million people are infected with genital herpes outbreaks which is can also be caused by the herpes simplex virus. Independent studies have come up with shocking statistics, with over 500 000 Americans diagnosed with genital herpes (Simplex virus Type 2 (HSV-2)) every year.
Herpes HSV-1 and HSV-2 under a microscope are virtually identical, sharing approximately 50% of their DNA. Both types of herpes outbreaks infect the mucosal surfaces of the body – most often the mouth or the genitals, and then spread into the nervous system.
There are two main types of the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV):
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