There's an interesting perspective on Herpes been posted over at Craigslist where the author says that making peace with the virus is the way forward.

Neonatal herpes, infection of newborns with herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2—the causes of genital herpes and cold sores—should routinely be reported to health authorities, say experts. In a commentary published in the September issue of the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases, some of the nation’s leading researchers in herpes infections point out that unlike all comparable health problems in newborns, neonatal herpes is a reportable condition in only 7 states.

Many people are worried about catching Herpes, especially Herpes Simplex 1 and 2, also known as cold sores and Genital Herpes.

Herpes is very common and very easy to catch. But it does require close physical contact. Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 does not survive outside the human body. This means that you can not catch Herpes Simplex from sharing drinks, food, make up, going to a public toilet or using a pay phone. You need to for example kiss some one with Herpes (including dry kisses as may be exchanged between relatives), have sex or other forms of close physical contact.