What is herpes infection?

Answer 1

cold sores are a herpes infection.

Herpes viruses cycle between periods of active disease-presenting as blisters containing infectious virus particles-that last 2-21 days, followed by a remission period, during which the sores disappear. Genital herpes, however, is often asymptomatic, though viral shedding may still occur. After initial infection, the viruses move to sensory nerves, where they reside as life-long, latent viruses. Causes of recurrence are uncertain, though some potential triggers have been identified. Over time, episodes of active disease reduce in frequency and severity.

Herpes simplex is most easily transmitted by direct contact with a lesion or the body fluid of an infected individual. Transmission may also occur through skin-to-skin contact during periods of asymptomatic shedding. Barrier protection methods are the most reliable method of preventing transmission of herpes, but they merely reduce rather than eliminate risk. Oral herpes is easily diagnosed if the patient presents with visible sores or ulcers. Early stages of orofacial herpes and genital herpes are harder to diagnose; laboratory testing is usually required. Twenty percent of the U.S. population has antibodies to HSV-2, although not all of them have a history of genital lesions. (source wikipedia) for the rest of the article on this subject go to the related link below (Herpes HSV1 and HSV2)