A herpes infection is the result of contracting the herpes simplex virus. The herpes simplex virus comes in two strains: herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2. Both strains of herpes simplex are spread through direct skin-to-skin contact. There are two general forms of herpes simplex infection: oral herpes and genital herpes. Oral herpes is most likely caused by herpes simplex 1; genital herpes is most likely caused by herpes simplex 2. Oral and genital herpes are most contagious during symptom outbreaks. A herpes infection does not have any damaging effect on reproductive capacity, and is not a serious threat to health except in the rare cases of infection in infants, and infection in people with seriously compromised immune systems.