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Causes of Herpes Simplex



The herpes simplex type 1 virus spreads through skin sores or oral secretions during direct contact such as kissing or sharing eating utensils. The herpes simplex type 2 virus spreads through sexual contact with an infected individual. Both types of virus can spread even if the sores are not visible. Pregnant mothers may pass on the herpes simplex virus to their babies during childbirth. In many cases, a herpes outbreak occurs due to the following conditions:

• Fatigue
• General ailments
• Stress
• Weakened immune system
• Menstruation
• Trauma to the affected part of the body

Women are susceptible to genital herpes than men and the virus spreads more easily from men to women. Individuals who have multiple sexual partners are also at a greater risk for developing genital herpes.



References

1. A. Schuhmacher, J. Reichling, P. Schnitzler, Virucidal effect of peppermint oil on the enveloped viruses herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in vitro, Phytomedicine, Volume 10, Issues 6–7, 2003, Pages 504-510, ISSN 0944-7113, 10.1078/094471103322331467.
2. C. Ishihara, J. Iida, N. Mizukoshi, N. Yamamoto, K. Yamamoto, K. Kato, I. Azuma, Effect of Nα-acetylmuramyl-l-alanyl-d-isoglutaminyl-Nϵ-stearoyl-l-lysine on resistance to herpes simplex virus type-1 infection in cyclophosphamide-treated mice, Vaccine, Volume 7, Issue 4, August 1989, Pages 309-313, ISSN 0264-410X, 10.1016/0264-410X(89)90191-6.