Herpes: Early Signs, Causes, Treatments, and Natural Approaches

The herpes simplex virus is a highly contagious infection spread primarily through skin-to-skin contact.

Herpes is a highly contagious infection with 50 to 80 percent of U.S. adults with oral herpes and about one in six people aged 14 to 49 with genital herpes. Illustration by Fei Meng

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), also known as herpes, is a common contagious infection that causes painful blisters and ulcers usually around the mouth and genitals. It is spread primarily through skin-to-skin contact.

In the United States, 50 to 80 percent of adults have oral herpes caused by HSV-1. Genital herpes, caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2, affects about one in six Americans aged 14 to 49.