The term herpes is typically used as a reference a herpes simplex virus infection. Herpes simplex comes in two strains: herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2. Herpes simplex is an exceptionally common virus, particularly herpes simplex 1 which is thought to infect up to ninety percent of adults. Herpes simplex 2 infection is less common, affecting roughly twenty percent of adults. A herpes simplex infection, whether it be herpes simplex 1 or herpes simplex 2, is a nuisance, not a serious threat to one's health: the only possible exceptions to this are infection in infants or in people with seriously compromised immune systems. The transmission method for herpes simplex is skin-to-skin contact, and herpes simplex is most likely to be spread while an outbreak of symptoms is occurring. The conventional belief is that herpes simplex remains in the body for life once it is contracted with symptoms possible at any time, though there are treatments that claim to be able to permanently eradicate a herpes simplex infection or to eliminate or reduce the occurrence of future outbreaks.