Two related viruses that cause cold sores or genital herpes and stay for life. Explore its illustrative 3D model, human context, and sources.
WHO describes herpes simplex virus as a common infection spread mainly by skin-to-skin contact, treatable but not curable. HSV-1 mostly spreads by oral contact and causes infections in or around the mouth, and can also cause genital herpes; HSV-2 spreads by sexual contact and causes genital herpes. Most people have no symptoms or only mild ones.
WHO estimates that 3.8 billion people under 50, about 64%, have HSV-1 and that 520 million people aged 15–49, about 13%, have HSV-2, with most infections asymptomatic or unrecognised. CDC notes that herpes infection increases the chance of acquiring and transmitting HIV. Medicines reduce symptoms but do not cure the infection. These are population estimates, not a personal risk score.
Herpes simplex viruses · HSV-1 particle representative. HSV-1 represents the HSV-1/HSV-2 clinical group; tegument is simplified. The colours, proportions, protein shapes and visible counts are illustrative, not measured or an atomic reconstruction. Independent scientific review remains pending.
Source check: 2026-09-19. Educational content; independent scientific review remains pending.