In addition to oral and genital sores,
the virus can also lead to complications such as
infection of the lining
of the brain and the brain itself (meningoencephalitis) in neonatal infants due to infection during birth. However, some people have HSV-2 but do not show symptoms. Up to 30% of U.S. adults have antibodies against HSV-2. Cross-infection of type 1 and 2 viruses may occur from oral-genital contact.
A finger infection, called herpetic whitlow, is another form of herpes.