how does one contract herpes?
More than 50 percent of the adult population in the United States has oral herpes, typically caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Most people contract oral herpes when they are children by receiving a kiss from a friend or relative. Oral herpes is commonly referred to as âcold soresâ and âfever blisters.â While symptoms of oral herpes most commonly appear on or around the lips, oral herpes is not always limited to this area.