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Causes and Risk Factors for Herpes

Learn the causes, prevalence and risk factors for the herpes simplex viruses.

How could I contract herpes?

  • Risk Factors
    Understand the ways in which the herpes simplex virus can spread between individuals.
  • Herpetic whitlow on the thumb
    Complications
    Everyone is at risk for herpes simplex virus. In fact, HSV-1 infects more than 85% of the world's population. Find out how to protect yourself.

Complications and related conditions

  • Diagnosis
    Find out how genital herpes can affect pregnancy, and what changes might occur to other areas of your health.
  • Treatment for Oral Herpes
    Read about the different tests for diagnosing the herpes simplex virus.

Featured Video

  • Animation: What is Genital Herpes?
    This animation shows how the virus causes the symptoms of this disease.There are two types of HSV, HSV type 1 and 2, and both can cause genital herpes.