Herpes infections can be tamed.

• Position: Viruses - Medicine - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

If you don't have a herpes virus somewhere in your body, consider yourself lucky. You are one of few people to escape this pesky bug, according to the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, which reports that 135,000,000 Americans age 12 and older have herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), the most-common form of the herpes virus, and 90% of the population has it by age 70.

You don't have to feel sick or have symptoms to be infected, and you can spread the highly contagious virus without even knowing you have it. Herpes infections can go completely unnoticed or they can be potentially life-threatening, depending on the type of infection.

Cold sores are usually caused by HSV-1, but can be triggered as well by HSV-2 (which typically causes genital herpes). Treatment includes over-the-counter creams and pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Other prescription medications can speed up recovery. Transmission can be prevented by not kissing anyone and not touching people after you have touched the cold sore.

Genital herpes is similar to cold sores, but the sores appear in the genital area. It is almost always caused by HSV-2, but also can be caused by HSV-1. Having sex with someone who is having an outbreak is the most-common way to get infected. Sores do not have to be visible for the person to be contagious. Daily doses of...