I heard that 80% of Americans have oral herpes whether they know it or not. Is this true?

Answer 1

Not exactly. Around 80% have HSV Type I by the time they get to age 30, and which can occur either on the mouth (as cold sores) or the genitals (as genital herpes). Occasionally people can have it in other parts of the body. Most have never noticed symptoms, and the infection is first noticed on a blood test.

There is also an HSV type 2, which is generally thought to most commonly occur as genital herpes, but sometimes is a cause of cold sores. About 15 per cent have that.

Answer 2

I don't think its as high as 80%...but oral herpes which is caused by Herpes simplex virus type 1 is basically what we all know as a cold sores...and a large % of people have had a cold sore. Now there are times when you can get an infection with Herpes simplex virus type 2- this is the one that causes genital herpes- on your mouth and that happens usually if you engage in oral sex with a person that has genital herpes. Its also very important to remember that people are infectious even if they don't have a visible outbreak.

Answer 3

Yes. All cases of herpes are not sexually transmitted. Chicken pox is a herpes virus that can be found in elementary school children. Fever blisters are common, although I have never had one myself.

Answer 4

The 80% figure is the value of positive tests. This means that you could have been exposed and never caught the disease; it is probably the figure for HSVI and HSVII. It's the figure quited to me by my doctor about 8 weeks ago. I foolishly was tested, thinking it was specific for HSVII. I knew I occasionally got HSVI outbreaks (and have since early childhood).

Answer 5

yes it is true but it is herpes simplex the cause of fever blisters if you have ever had one then you have it too.

Answer 6

No, it coould not be that high of a percentage. You know when
you have oral herpes. If you have never had it be glad.