DEFINITION & PREVALENCE
DEFINITION
- Oral Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1)
- Mild, self-limiting viral infection
- Presents as cold sores (herpes labialis) or gingivostomatitis
PREVALENCE
- Primary infection: typically under age 5, usually asymptomatic
- Recurrent herpes labialis: Commonly in healthy adults around age 35
- Recurrent gingivostomatitis: rare, mainly in immunocompromised individuals