A herpes-causing, contagious, viral infection that appears most commonly on the genitals or mouth, causing sores and other symptoms. This latent virus in the ganglion of the trigeminal nerve affects people under the age of 50, and children pick it up from an infected adult then carry the virus with them for a lifetime. Most people who carry the virus are asymptomatic but can pass on the virus, nevertheless. It comprises two types, namely, HSV-1 (causing oral herpes) and HSV-2 (causing genital herpes).
