1. How can herpes be prevented?
Oral herpes (mouth sores, skin lesions in non-genital sites) can’t be prevented. Exposure occurs during everyday life. However, genital herpes can be prevented by avoiding sexual contact with someone who has an active herpes infection and through the use of condoms. For more information, visit
American Social Health Association: Learn About Herpes.
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2. Are there other types of herpes viruses besides HSV-1 and HSV-2?
Yes. There are over 25 viruses in the herpes family and at least 8 types that infect humans. These include herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 discussed in this article as well as Varicella Zoster virus (VZV, HHV-3), associated with
chickenpox and shingles,
Epstein Barr virus (EBV, HHV4), which can cause
infectious mononucleosis,
Cytomegalovirus (CMV, HHV-5), human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7), both associated with roseola in young children, and human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), which has recently been discovered to be in tumors called Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) that occur in those with AIDS.
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