[knb2004]

I gotta tell you, the more research I've done about herpes the less freaked out I find myself about it. Not that I would welcome it in any way, shape, or form, but it doesn't appear to be the demon I previously thought.

Demographic differences notwithstanding, it is true that 20-25% of the population has it, and my research indicates that most of that 25% don't even know it, which implies they've either never been symptomatic, or have been minorly symptomatic at best. The medical profession considers it nothing more than a nuisance, and in fact it seems they won't even screen for it on a standard STI panel unless specifically asked.

It's also true that HSV-1, which usually shows up as cold sores in the mouth, is a kissing cousin to HSV-2 and most of us have it. I do, have since I was a kid. From what I've read having HSV-1 seems to provide some protection against contracting -2, but truth be told if a disease is so minor that most people who have it don't even know it, it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal.