Herpes is an infection that is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and is divided into two groups.

• HSV-1: Mainly affects the mouth and lips, causing cold sores or fever blisters. It can also spread to other parts of the body including the gentiles during oral sex.
• HSV-2: Is spread through skin-to-skin contact of mucous membranes or through fluids from the mouth or gentiles. (A mucous membrane is any part of the body that contains or produces mucus such as the genitals, mouth, throat, nasal passage, esophagus, colon, anus, intestines and organs)

To be more specific HSV-2 is spread through cells traveling in seminal fluids, vaginal liquids and other bodily secretions associated with sexual intercourse. Even though HSV-1 and HSV-2 are mainly transmitted through genital contact with someone who has a visible genital infection, 80% of the time it is transmitted when there are no herpes sores or symptoms present. Some individuals infected with herpes will have an active/symptomatic outbreak several times a year while others have very few with less severe symptoms.

In short, herpes is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact of a mucous membrane and bodily fluids. The risk of infection is highest in the presence of an open sore, blister or rash or if there is a break in the skin or mucous membrane even if intercourse does not occur.

Because herpes infections so often take place without symptoms it is crucial to sexual health and well being to be routinely tested for Herpes and other STDs.

STDAware offers full panel and individual testing for HSV-1, HSV-2 and other STDs. Click here to see the STDAware testing options.

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