It is transmitted from one person to another during sexual activity. It cannot be cured, only controlled. Genital herpes is extremely widespread, largely because it is so contagious.
Carriers can transmit the disease without having any symptoms themselves of active infection.
As many as 50 million Americans are infected with genital herpes, with 1 million new infections each year. The highest rates of infection are seen among the poor, those with less education, those using cocaine, and those with many sexual partners. Most genital herpes infections are caused by HSV-2. Less often, HSV-1 can cause genital herpes infections through oral sexual contact. The genital sores caused by either virus look the same.