How many herpes can you get?

There are eight types of herpesviruses known to infect humans. They are:

1. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1): This type of herpes is responsible for oral herpes, which causes cold sores and fever blisters around the mouth and lips.

2. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2): This type of herpes causes genital herpes, which affects the skin and mucous membranes of the genital area.

3. Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV): This virus causes chickenpox and shingles. Chickenpox is a common, highly contagious childhood disease characterized by an itchy rash of small, fluid-filled blisters that spread over the entire body. Shingles is a reactivation of the VZV that occurs later in life and causes a painful rash and blisters on one side of the body.

4. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): EBV is a widespread virus that causes infectious mononucleosis ("mono"), also known as the "kissing disease." Mono is a contagious illness characterized by fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and extreme fatigue. EBV is also associated with the development of certain cancers, such as Burkitt lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

5. Cytomegalovirus (CMV): CMV is a widespread virus that usually causes mild or no symptoms in healthy individuals. However, CMV infection can be severe in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or transplant recipients. In these individuals, CMV can cause serious health problems, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and vision loss.

6. Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6): HHV-6 is a common virus that typically causes a mild childhood illness known as roseola infantum. Roseola is characterized by a high fever followed by a rash. HHV-6 can also cause more severe illnesses in people with weakened immune systems.

7. Human Herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7): This virus is associated with roseola-like symptoms, but it is generally less common than HHV-6.

8. Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV): KSHV is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, a type of cancer that affects the skin, lymph nodes, and internal organs. It is most common in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or transplant recipients.

Please note that some people may have multiple herpesvirus infections simultaneously or at different times in their lives.