Herpes is a painful and problematic condition that occurs because of the herpes simplex virus. This condition can be transmitted by way of sexual contact with an infected person or through direct contact with the infected site. The herpes virus includes herpes 1 along with herpes simplex 2 virus. These two viruses cause different forms of herpes infections among individuals.

It is important to understand that the herpes 1 as well as the type 2 viruses are virtually identical and share around 50% of the DNA structure. Likewise both these types affect the mucosal surfaces in the body. These mucosal surfaces affected by these viruses include the mouth as well as the genital areas of the body. In as many as two third of the cases there may be no noticeable symptoms.

Research also indicates that both herpes 1 and type 2 viruses can spread even in the absence of these symptoms. The herpes simplex 1 virus normally is found latent in nerve cells that are found near the ears. This nerve cells collection area is called trigeminal ganglion. So this results in herpes outbreaks in the facial or mouth regions.

While the location is the most basic and commonly determined difference between these two viruses it is important to understand that this difference is not absolute. So these viruses may be found residing in one or both the parts of the body and oral and genital infection can occur with either of these. Because people are unaware of this fact they do not know that there is an increasing number of herpes 1 type cases causing genital herpes.

As many as 100 million people in United States are infected with the herpes 1 virus. The HSV type 1 virus results in cold sores in the mouth and these are also called fever blisters. A person can get the HSV-1 virus if contact occurs with the saliva of a person who is infected. The symptoms associated with this condition tend to appear and then disappear. In the time when the symptoms are not present the virus lies dormant in the nerve cells.

The virus acts by penetrating in the cells underneath the skin and replicates itself there. While replicating the virus destroys the existing host cells and this result in development of blisters or ulcers. These are often filled with a clear fluid. After the scabs are formed the blisters disappear. The herpes 1 virus is shed in the saliva in around 5% of cases even though no obvious symptoms may be observed.

Before the appearance of the blisters the skin may sting, itch, tingle and burn. The recurrence of the infection can be observed either in the same location or in a different location. The cold sores are also known as fever blisters. Treatment of herpes 1 includes some antiviral medicines such as acyclovir, valaciclovir and famciclovir. The antiviral medication may have some side effects which may be minor in some cases.