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Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that causes fever blisters on the mouth , the face(HSV-1) or the genital area(HSV-2).They are known to cause more human illnesses then any other viral group. However, both types can cause either genital or oral infections. Most of the time, HSV-1 and HSV-2 are inactive and cause no symptoms, but some infected people have "outbreaks" of blisters and ulcers. Once infected with HSV, people remain infected for life. As well three other types of herpesviruses  can infect humans. They are: 
-herpes zooster which causes Chicken Pox  and Shingles.
-Esptein-Barr virus, which causes infectious Monoucleosis.(Mono, the kissing disease)
-Cytomegalovirus which can cause birth defects in infants. 

Once HSV enters the body, it penetrates vulnerable cells in the lower layers of skin tissue and attempts to replicate in the cell nuclei. This process destroys host cells, therefore causing the blisters and inflammation characteristic of the infection. The viral particles are carried from the skin through branches of nerve cells to clusters at the nerve-cell ends called ganglia. Here, the virus persists in an inactive (latent) form, in which complete viral replication does not occur, but both the host cells and the virus survive. Infection is not apparent during these periods; however, in many cases the virus begins multiplying again and symptoms recur. In oral herpes, between 20% to 40% experience recurrent flare-ups after an initial infection with HSV-1. In patients with HSV-2 genital herpes, the recurrence rate is even higher -- up to 80%. Active outbreaks of infections may recur as often as once every few weeks or as infrequently as once a year. 
Recurrences usually erupt at the same site. It is not completely known what triggers this renewed infection, but a number of different factors may be involved, such as sunlight, wind, fever, local physical injury, menstruation, suppression of the immune system, or emotional stress. At times, the virus may begin to multiply and infect others without producing symptoms. It is estimated that over 50% of people with HSV-2 shed the virus at some time without having visible evidence of blisters or inflammation. The body does build an immune response to HSV, and in healthy people recurring infections tend to become progressively less severe and less frequent. The immune system, however, cannot eliminate the virus completely. Scientists  are closer to decoding the genetic structure of HSV and to discovering how the virus works its way into specific white blood cells. Scientists have recently isolated a protein that seems to promote herpes simplex infection. They believe the protein, called HveC, may become a prime target for preventive or therapeutic interventions against herpes. Similarly, a protein in the membranes of nerve and other cells has been identified that may ease the entry of HSV into the cells.

It is aquired excusively through sexual contact, but sexual partners of a person with STD are likely to be infected as well and should be examined and tested for the disease.
By the 1980's, genital herpes had become the leading sexual transmitted disease in the United States.
 
 
 

There is no cure available for herpes and therefore treatment is directed at relieving discomfort and preventing bacterial infection. This can be accomplished by keeping the genital area clean. Prepare a hot bath 2-3 times daily with some salt added to the water. Afterwards it is a good idea to put a small freezer bag on the infected area. Remember to avoid touching the sores and then rubbing your eyes or other parts of the body which are sensitive to infection. Please ensure that you wash your hands immediately after touching the sores. Anti-viral drugs may also be useful in treating herpes. 

The most common form of protection from herpes is the use of a condom. Although there is no safe sex, abstinence is the best method from preventing any STD. 

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