Herpes is the most stigmatized common condition in the world. Roughly two-thirds of the global population under 50 carries HSV-1. Around 491 million carry HSV-2. It is the kind of condition where most people who have it do not know they have it, and the people who do are often more affected by what they fear others will think than by the virus itself.
This page is the home of our herpes coverage. Below you will find our complete library of articles organized by what you might actually be looking for: understanding the basics, getting tested, choosing a treatment, watching the cure pipeline, and learning to live well with the virus.
Every clinical article linked below is medically reviewed. Every personal story is clearly labeled. If you spot something that needs correcting, write us — we update articles fast.
Understanding herpes
Start here if you are new to herpes or want a clear overview of HSV-1 vs HSV-2, common myths, and what diagnosis actually means.
Transmission and prevention
How herpes spreads, what activities carry risk, and what the science actually says about everyday situations like kissing or sharing drinks.
Testing and diagnosis
When to test, what to ask your doctor, and how to interpret IgG and IgM results.
Treatment and management
Daily suppressive vs episodic therapy, what valacyclovir vs acyclovir actually do, and emerging adjunct therapies.
Specific herpes conditions
Herpes is one virus family with many presentations. Oral, ocular, encephalitis, zoster — each has its own management.
- Herpes on the tongue: treatment tips
- Oral simplex herpes: treatment and stigma
- Herpes keratitis: treatment and vision care
- Ocular herpes: treatment and emotional impact
- Herpes encephalitis: risks and recovery
- Herpes simplex encephalitis recovery
- Disseminated herpes zoster recovery
- Herpes simplex on face: managing stigma
- Facial herpes outbreaks and emotional health
Cures and vaccines in development
No cure exists today, but research is moving fast. Here are the trials worth watching — phase, mechanism, and how far along they are.
Living with herpes
The hardest part of herpes is often not the virus — it is the stigma. These are honest, lived-experience guides.
In-depth Herpes guides
All guides →Newly diagnosed with herpes — what to do next
A 30-day plan from people who walked this path.
Herpes outbreak triggers and how to reduce them
Evidence-based triggers and what actually works.
Can you get herpes from kissing? The real risk
HSV-1 vs HSV-2 transmission, when it matters.
HSV test results — what your number actually means
IgG, IgM, index values, false positives.
Herpes cure 2026 — trials update
Moderna, BioNTech, Pritelivir, CRISPR — what is real.
Valacyclovir vs Acyclovir — which is better?
Same effectiveness. Different dosing, cost, convenience.
HSV-1 vs HSV-2 — what is the difference?
Different viruses, different patterns. Why knowing which matters.
Can you have herpes without symptoms?
Most people with herpes never have a recognized outbreak.
Herpes and pregnancy
Risk to baby under 1% with proper management. Suppressive antiviral from 36 weeks.
Herpes blood test accuracy
IgG vs IgM, low-positive false positives, when to ask for Western blot.
Oral herpes vs cold sore vs canker sore
Cold sores ARE oral herpes. Canker sores are NOT. Side-by-side comparison.
Neonatal herpes — real risk and prevention
New infection in third trimester is the real risk. Established HSV is < 1%.
HSV-1 genital herpes — why it’s rising
Now the majority of new genital herpes in young US adults. Milder course.
Living with chronic herpes — a 5-year view
What life actually looks like over time. First year worst; year 5+ usually fine.
HSV in immunocompromised patients
More severe outbreaks, possible resistance, suppressive therapy considerations.
Frequently asked questions
Is herpes curable?+
No herpes cure currently exists. Once infected, the virus remains in nerve cells for life. However, antivirals like valacyclovir and acyclovir can suppress outbreaks and reduce transmission risk by about 50%. Several therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines are in clinical trials, with BioNTech, GSK, and Moderna among the developers.
What is the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2?+
HSV-1 traditionally causes oral herpes (cold sores) and HSV-2 traditionally causes genital herpes — but either type can infect either site. HSV-1 is more common globally (about 67% of people under 50 carry it) and tends to recur less frequently in the genital area than HSV-2.
How is herpes transmitted?+
Herpes spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected area, even when no visible sore is present (asymptomatic shedding). The most common routes are oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex, and kissing. It does not spread through toilet seats, towels, or hot tubs.
Can I have a healthy relationship with herpes?+
Yes. Daily suppressive antiviral therapy plus condoms reduces transmission risk significantly. Many couples include one partner with herpes and one without and never transmit. Open disclosure before sex is essential — legally in many places and ethically always.
How soon do herpes symptoms appear after exposure?+
Initial outbreak typically appears 2 to 12 days after exposure, but many people experience no symptoms for months or years. Some people never develop visible outbreaks at all — known as asymptomatic carriers, who can still transmit.
Do I need to disclose herpes to a sexual partner?+
Yes — both ethically and in many jurisdictions, legally. Disclosure can feel scary but is far easier than dealing with a partner who feels betrayed after the fact. Many people in the herpes community have disclosure scripts that have worked for them.
Will herpes affect pregnancy or my baby?+
In most cases, no. Risk to a newborn is highest when a mother contracts herpes for the first time during late pregnancy. If you have herpes and are pregnant, tell your OB — they will likely prescribe suppressive antivirals from week 36 and recommend a C-section if a genital outbreak is active at delivery.
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