Can you explain " how not many make it to old folk home without it" mean? Does this mean elderly are more susceptible to hsv1? As the only you get the less partners you have
A great resource for understanding genital herpes (assuming that's what she has) is the Herpes Handbook, here:
http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_herpes/handbook/view_the_chapters.html
More than 45 million folks have genital herpes. About 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men; of those 90% don't even know it. It is nothing more than a pesky skin condition in the end.
Oral herpes is incredibly common and not many of us make it to the old folks home without it. www.ashastd.org has good info on cold sores under the herpes section on their website for more reading.
What type of herpes does she have ?