This is important because the minority of people who have symptoms and are diagnosed (approximately 20% of the total who are infected) often think that their social and sexual future will be badly affected when most of the rest of us have it as well but don't know. Herpes jokes are a cheap shot because the bullies who tell them know that the people who are most affected by the stigma won't complain. Let's get it straight: facial cold sores and genital herpes infections are all caused by herpes simplex viruses and they are very common and normal infections to catch. Having a herpes virus is pretty much part of the job description of being a human being so let's all get over it and grow up.