herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (std) caused by the herpes simplex virus (hsv). hsv-type 1 commonly causes fever blisters on the mouth or face (oral herpes) while hsv-type 2 typically affects the genital area (genital herpes). however both viral types can cause either genital or oral infections. most of the time hsv-1 and hsv-2 are inactive or "silent " and cause no symptoms but some infected people have "outbreaks" of blisters and ulcers. once infected with hsv people remain infected for life.
what is genital herpes?