Here are some herpes facts: The term herpes typically refers to a herpes simplex virus infection. The herpes simplex virus comes in two strains: herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2. Herpes simplex 1 typically causes cases of oral herpes. Herpes simplex 2 typically causes cases of genital herpes. It is possible for herpes simplex 1 to affect the genitals, and for herpes simplex 2 to cause oral herpes, but this is not the norm: herpes simplex 1 does not thrive below the waist, and herpes simplex 2 does not thrive above the waist. A herpes simplex virus infection does not always cause symptoms, but when it does the symptoms are typically an outbreak of blisters. A herpes simplex infection, whether it be herpes simplex 1 or herpes simplex 2, is not a threat to health and at worst is a nuisance. The only possible exceptions to this is a herpes simplex infection in an infant, or in a person with a severely compromised immune system.