A virus spread by close personal contact, such as kissing or sexual intercourse. There are two types of herpes. The first type is herpes simplex type 1 (or HSV-1). HSV-1 occurs most often on or near the mouth and appears as a chancre or cold sore. The second type, herpes simplex type 2 (or HSV-2), occurs most often on or near the sex organs and is sometimes called "genital herpes. " Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease, or "STD. "