What Is a Simple Explanation of Herpes Virus 1 and 2?

What is a simple explanation of herpes virus 1 and 2?  To put it simply, they are identical viruses that are different in their location in the body. Herpes 1 will be present in the upper body, usually around the mouth.  Outbreaks are shown by the presence of cold sores or fever blisters.  Herpes 2 is also called genital herpes and affects the genital area.  Read on for more information.    

A simple explanation of herpes virus 1 and virus 2 involves understanding that the herpes simplex virus is the root of HSV-1 and HSV-2. 

• HSV-1 is called oral herpes because visible symptoms appear as cold sores on the mouth or face.  It is the most common form of herpes. 
• HSV-2 is called genital herpes because it causes sores in the genital area and on the thighs.

Once a person has been infected with the herpes simplex virus, it stays in the body forever.  At the present time, there is no cure for herpes.  Infection occurs from direct contact with an infected person.  This may include contact with bodily fluids or sores.  The virus can also be transmitted by skin to skin contact if the infected person is in a period of viral shedding.  Viral shedding can occur with or without symptoms.            

Facts about Outbreaks

As a general matter HSV-2 (genital) recurs more frequently than HSV-1 (oral), HSV-1 (genital), and HSV-2 (oral).

The number of outbreaks for both types tends to decrease over time, so the longer you have it, the fewer number of recurrences.  Many people with oral herpes (HSV-1) get it when they are children and by the time they are adults, it is so mild that they don’t consider it a health problem.  On the other hand, most people get genital herpes as teens or adults and in the first year will have between four and six outbreaks.

So, now you have a simple explanation of herpes virus 1 and 2 and you also know a bit more about how they differ.