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What Is Herpes Simplex Virus, and Why Is It So Common?
What is herpes simplex virus? It is a common virus with two types, HSV-1 and HSV-2, and it has no cure. WHO estimates 3.8 billion people under 50 carry HSV-1 and 520 million aged 15 to 49 carry HSV-2. Prescription antivirals are the proven care; Reviralis is a supplement, not an antiviral.
Written by the Reviralis label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The basics01
What is herpes simplex virus?
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common virus that infects the skin and nerves. It comes in two types, HSV-1 and HSV-2.
Both types stay in the body after the first infection. Many people never notice symptoms, and others have sores that come and go. Sores can show up near the mouth, on the genitals or, less often, elsewhere (CDC, About Genital Herpes).
Q: Is it a rare infection? A: No. WHO counts billions of people, which is why public health pages treat it as an everyday health topic, not a scandal (WHO, Herpes Simplex Virus Fact Sheet).
This post is general information. It does not say anything about you or what you may have.
Two types02
What is the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2?
HSV-1 is mostly linked with the mouth and HSV-2 with the genitals, but either type can cause sores at either site.
| HSV-1 | HSV-2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Usually linked with | Mouth and lips (cold sores) | Genital area |
| WHO estimate | 3.8 billion people under 50 (64%) | 520 million people aged 15 to 49 (13%) |
| Cure | None | None |
The HSV-1 and HSV-2 basics page goes deeper, and the post on oral versus genital herpes covers the sites.
How it spreads03
How does herpes simplex virus spread?
Through skin-to-skin contact, including when no sore can be seen.
Genital herpes spreads through sexual contact, and cold sores can spread by kissing or shared items (CDC, About Genital Herpes)(Mayo Clinic, Cold Sore Symptoms and Causes). Condoms lower the risk but do not remove it (CDC, About Genital Herpes). Many people have mild or unnoticed symptoms, so the virus is often passed on without anyone knowing.
There is no cure, but care exists. Daily suppressive medicine lowers recurrences and partner transmission for people who take it under a clinician's direction (WHO, Herpes Simplex Virus Fact Sheet). Nine facts about living with it are below.
- There is no cureHerpes simplex virus stays in the body for life. Outbreaks are usually shorter and milder after the first and often become less frequent. (CDC, About Genital Herpes) (WHO, Herpes Simplex Virus Fact Sheet)
- Antivirals are the proven careAcyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir shorten outbreaks, and daily suppression cuts recurrences 70 to 80% in people with frequent ones. A clinician prescribes them. (CDC, About Genital Herpes) (CDC, STI Treatment Guidelines: Herpes) (WHO, Herpes Simplex Virus Fact Sheet)
- It can spread without a soreThe virus can pass between partners when no sore is visible. Condoms lower the risk but do not remove it. (CDC, About Genital Herpes) (WHO, Herpes Simplex Virus Fact Sheet)
- Triggers are known, but not fully understoodWHO lists illness or fever, sun, menstruation, injury, stress and surgery; Mayo adds fatigue, hormones and immune changes. (WHO, Herpes Simplex Virus Fact Sheet) (Mayo Clinic, Cold Sore Symptoms and Causes)
- Stress is linked only weaklyEleven studies found a weak link between stress and recurrence, with signs of publication bias. A link is not proof of cause. (Chida and Mao 2009, Stress and HSV Recurrence (Brain Behav Immun))
- Sunscreen has some trial support for sun-triggered soresTwo trials found sunscreen prevented sores brought on by UV light; a third did not. (Chi 2015, Cochrane: Preventing Cold Sores)
- Lysine did not hold upA Cochrane review found no evidence it prevents cold sores. (Chi 2015, Cochrane: Preventing Cold Sores) (Mailoo and Rampes 2017, Lysine Review (Integr Med))
- Zinc cream, not zinc capsulesThe one herpes-specific zinc trial tested a cream in 46 people: 5.0 days against 6.5. (Godfrey 2001, Topical Zinc Oxide/Glycine for Cold Sores (Altern Ther Health Med)) (NIH ODS, Zinc)
- Tell a clinician if you are pregnantHerpes passed to a newborn is serious, and care in pregnancy is planned with a clinician. (CDC, About Genital Herpes) (CDC, STI Treatment Guidelines: Herpes)
Reviralis: from $49 a bottle60 capsules a bottle · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 and 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsCare04
What is the proven care for herpes simplex virus?
Prescription antivirals such as acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir. A clinician prescribes them.
They can shorten outbreaks, and daily use can lower recurrences. Tell a clinician if you think you have symptoms, are pregnant, or have a weak immune system. Sores near the eye are an emergency, and so is fever with a stiff neck.
Reviralis Complete is a supplement. It is not an antiviral and not a treatment. No source we found shows it prevents or reduces outbreaks, and its label never mentions herpes. If you were prescribed an antiviral, keep taking it.
The antivirals and clinician care page has the detail.
FAQ05
Reviralis questions people ask
Is herpes simplex virus the same as herpes zoster?
No, herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by a different virus. Herpes simplex virus has two types, HSV-1 and HSV-2, and causes sores near the mouth or genitals. Both belong to a wider virus family, but they are separate infections.
Can herpes simplex virus go away?
No, it has no cure. The virus stays in the body after the first infection, and outbreaks, when they happen, tend to be milder and less frequent over time. Prescribed antivirals shorten outbreaks and lower recurrences, as CDC and WHO describe.
Do all people with HSV have symptoms?
No, many people have mild symptoms or none, and so may not know they carry the virus. The virus can still spread when no sore is visible. A blood or swab test ordered by a clinician is the way to know.
Does herpes simplex virus only affect the mouth or genitals?
Mostly those sites, though skin elsewhere can be affected, and the eye is a serious site. Any gritty or painful eye needs a clinician quickly. Fever with a stiff neck is also an emergency.
Who wrote this06
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the order page and linked NIH, FDA, FTC, Mayo Clinic and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a USA Authorized Reviralis Retailer. It is not the manufacturer or the distributor named on the label. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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