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The herpes virus that causes cold sores around the mouth, HSV-1, now is causing many cases of genital herpes as well - a change that could reflect, in part, a growing acceptance of oral sex, researchers say.

"HSV-1 has assumed a more prominent role in causing first episodes of genital herpes," said Anna Wald, medical director of the University of Washington's Virology Research Clinic.

"The reason for that is not exactly understood," she said. "There may be some shift in sexual behavior, with more oral-genital contact, especially among teenagers because they may not perceive it as sex."