What is herpes?
Herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), usually found in or around the mouth, genitals, buttocks, or anal areas. There are two types of HSV: type 1 and type 2. Most commonly, HSV-1 affects the mouth and eye area, and HSV-2 affects the genital area. However, both strains of the virus can be transferred between oral or genital areas through oral sex.
How common is herpes?
The most common type of herpes is oral herpes (sometimes referred to as cold sores) which is caused by HSV-1. HSV-2 can also cause oral herpes when it is spread through oral sex. Between 50 and 80 percent of American adults have HSV-1 and about 25 percent of American adults have HSV-2.
Currently, there is very little information on the number South Asians in the United States that are experiencing STIs. Information that is available shows that STIs are a health concern for all communities, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, education, income, culture, or religion. It is important to note that shame, stigma, and fear surrounding STIs make communities, including South Asians, particularly vulnerable as it prevents people from getting informed, tested, and treated. It also keeps people from speaking openly and honestly to their doctors and partners.
For information on STIs and South Asian communities, read about the research that is available.
What are the symptoms?
Many times people do not experience herpes symptoms and the virus remains "latent", where the virus is inactive in the body without external symptoms. When a person has symptoms, also known as an "outbreak", there may be blisters or "pimple-like" sores in the affected area, lasting up to 14 days. Some people get flu-like symptoms during a herpes outbreak. It is important to know that you can have an outbreak without any visible symptoms.
Once infected, the number of outbreaks varies by person, often triggered by stress or another infection. Some people never present symptoms after the initial outbreak.
Symptoms for oral herpes include cold sores or fever blisters on the lips in or around the mouth. With genital herpes, symptoms include blistery sores on the penis, vagina, mouth, cervix, vulva, buttocks, or anus. The virus can also infect the eye, which results in sores on the cornea.
How does herpes spread?
Oral herpes can be spread by kissing, oral sex, or skin to skin contact. If one partner has oral cold sores, he/she can pass on the virus during oral sex and cause genital herpes. Genital herpes can be transmitted through kissing, oral sex, intercourse, and/or skin-to-skin contact, especially if one of the partners is having an outbreak.
Genital and oral herpes are most infectious when there are visible sores or a tingly feeling in the affected areas that signifies an onset of the infection. However, both oral and genital herpes can spread even when there are no symptoms. The virus is most infectious and easily transferable during an outbreak.