The number among active gay men is much higher than 15%. Probably above 50% but many don’t know it. That’s why it’s not even tested regularly.
Also It doesn’t mean they are all contagious as you mention, but mainly if they have a break out.
And there is no “oral herpes”, “genital herpes” and “anal herpes”. It’s type 1 and type 2 herpes and they can be in your mouth or genitals depending where they first entered your body. Most cases type one is oral because people get it by kissing, but many times like in my case as mostly a top both types are genital.
I think people like some on this post stigmatize herpes more than they should and that is the problem of herpes. The stigma is the problem, not the illness, because you mostly feel bad the first time you have it and then it’s just mildly uncomfortable. And totally controllable with Valtrax.