The term herpes is typically a reference to a herpes simplex virus infection. There are two strains of the herpes simplex virus: herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2. Herpes is essentially a skin condition. Though herpes doesn’t always show symptoms, when it does symptoms are typically an outbreak of blisters on the skin surface. Herpes is spread through direct physical contact. Herpes is an exceptionally common condition, particularly in oral form. Herpes can also affect the genital region. A herpes infection is a nuisance and not a threat to health: the only possible exceptions to this are infection in infants and in people with severely compromised immune systems, and in cases of ocular herpes (herpes infection in the eye). Some people with herpes are concerned about the prospect of becoming reinfected with herpes during a future encounter, or of spreading their herpes infection to other parts of their body. Herpes antibodies prevent a person from becoming reinfected with herpes, whether it's oral herpes or genital herpes. Herpes infection takes place one time. Herpes antibodies also prevent a herpes infection, oral herpes or genital herpes, from being spread to other parts of one's body. The exception to this is ocular herpes, or herpes of the eye, which is spread from an oral herpes infection. A herpes infection has no damaging effect on either the male or female reproductive system.