What percentage of people have Herpes Simplex Virus Type I?

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) spreads easily from person to person through direct contact with skin or contact with saliva. HSV-1 causes blistering sores around the mouth and lips. These sores are called cold sores, fever blisters, or oral herpes. read more

Oral herpes is usually caused by HSV-1 and can result in cold sores or fever blisters on or around the mouth. However, most people do not have any symptoms. read more

A study led by Dr. Herbert Kaufman, Boyd Professor of Ophthalmology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, published in the January issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, found that 98% of the participants who are healthy individuals with no evidence of any symptoms did in fact shed herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) DNA in their tears and saliva at least once during the course of the 30-day study. read more