What is Herpes 1 (Oral Herpes)?

Oral Herpes is caused by HSV-1, and appears as cold sores or fever blisters on the mouth or facial area. Depending on infection, Oral Herpes can also appear on the genital area.

Oral Herpes (Herpes Simplex 1) is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, and is normally developed in childhood. If you test positive for HSV-1, there is no cause for alarm, only caution.

What are the statistics?

Between 50% and 80% of the adult population in the United States has oral herpes (commonly called cold sores or fever blisters), with as many as 90% having the virus by the time they reach age 50.

Most people contract oral herpes when they are children by receiving a kiss from a friend or relative.

About one in five persons in the United States has genital herpes; however, as many as 90 percent of those infected are unaware that they have the virus. There are many reasons people do not know they have herpes.

What are the symptoms?

For those that display symptoms from HSV-1, they often experience lesions inside the mouth, such as cold sores (fever blisters), or infections of the eye.

How is Herpes 1 (Oral Herpes) transmitted?

Oral Herpes (HSV-1) can be transmitted through skin to skin contact, with the highest risk of transmission being when sores are present. To reduce the risk of transmission, do not touch the sores directly nor kiss or perform oral sex when sores are present.

How do you get tested for Herpes 1 (Oral Herpes)?

Testing for Oral Herpes requires a blood sample – the same test is used to testy for Herpes Simplex 2 (Genital Herpes). getSTDtested.com offers a blood test for Herpes 1 which you can test for at any of our 2,000 local medical centers.


Is there a treatment/cure for Herpes 1 (Oral Herpes)?

There is no treatment that can cure oral herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks. In addition, daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to partners.