Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is referred to as type 1 (HSV1) or type 2 (HSV2). It causes painful blisters to appear on the genitals and the surrounding areas. Genital herpes can be passed to others through sexual contact.

It’s estimated that 1 in 5 people in the US of people between the ages of 16 and 49 have HSV2. Recent studies have indicated that up to 70 percent of people between those ages may have the virus. That study is still under question, so cannot yet be taken as fact.

Pictures of Herpes