Definition

Herpes infections are a group of diseases caused by a herpes virus. There are eight different herpes viruses that can infect humans. Two of these, herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2, occur commonly. They cause cold sores and genital herpes.

Description

Cold sores are a very common health problem. More than 60 percent of Americans have had a cold sore. Nearly 25 percent of these individuals have repeated outbreaks of cold sores. Cold sores are also known as fever blisters or oral herpes. They are usually caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1).

Most people are first infected with HSV1 before the age of ten. Once the virus enters the body, it remains there for life. Cold sores are painful blisters filled with fluid. They usually occur on the lips. By contrast, canker sores usually occur on the tongue, inside the cheeks, or elsewhere inside the mouth...