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Understanding Herpes Virus Reactivation
March 31st, 2026

What Causes Recurrent Herpes Outbreaks?

Recurrent herpes outbreaks are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) becoming reactivated from dormant nerve cells. After initial infection, the virus remains inactive in nerve ganglia near the spine and can reactivate due to various triggers. Common triggers include stress, illness, fatigue, immunosuppression, hormonal changes, and sun exposure. Studies show that 90% of people with HSV-1 and 60% with HSV-2 experience recurrent outbreaks, though frequency typically decreases over time. The virus travels along nerve pathways to cause lesions at or near the original infection site.

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