Epidemiology of Herpes Simplex Viruses

Approximately 90% of the population is infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and at least 10% with HSV-2 (Nahmias and Roizman, 1973 Whidey, 1997). Humans are the only natural reservoir for this infecdon, and no vectors are involved in d ansmission of this virus (Stanberry et al., 2004). HSV-1 primary infecdon occurs mainly in childhood, and HSV-2 infecdon occurs predominantly in sexually acdve adolescents and young adults. Aerosols or close contact are the primary mechanisms of viral d ansmission. Although dansmitted by different routes and involving different parts of the body, these two viral subtypes have similar epidemiology and clinical manifestadon. 

---