A recent study estimates that approximately 846 million individuals aged 15 to 49 worldwide are infected with genital herpes.
This equates to one in five people within this age group globally.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that one in five individuals aged 15 to 49 worldwide is infected with herpes, with at least one new infection occurring every second, totaling 42 million new cases annually.
Dr. Sami Gottlieb, WHO’s medical officer, stated in a press release, “Stigma around genital herpes means it has been discussed too little, despite affecting millions of people globally.”
Dr. Gottlieb added, “Not enough has been done to address this common infection.”
Genital herpes is a widespread sexually transmitted infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2).
HSV-1 primarily causes sores around the mouth or lips, while HSV-2 typically causes sores around the genitals. However, HSV-1 can also infect the genital area, and HSV-2 can lead to blisters around the lips or mouth.
According to a study published in Sexually Transmitted Infections, approximately 520 million people were infected with HSV-2 as of 2020.
HSV-2 increases the risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, by three times.
From a public health perspective, genital HSV-2 has a much higher likelihood of causing recurrent outbreaks, accounting for about 90% of symptomatic cases.
As of 2000, approximately 376 million people were living with HSV-1, with an estimated 50 million also infected with HSV-2.
No Herpes Vaccine Exists… It Can Be Transmitted to Infants
Most individuals infected with genital herpes exhibit no or mild symptoms. However, some may experience painful genital ulcers and blisters that can recur throughout their lives, causing significant discomfort.
New treatments and vaccines are essential to reduce the side effects of the herpes virus and control its spread.
Dr. Meg Doherty, Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes at WHO, stated, “While most people with a genital herpes infection experience few symptoms, with so many infections genital herpes still causes pain and distress for millions globally and strains already overburdened health systems.”
Dr. Doherty emphasized that “Better prevention and treatment options are urgently needed to reduce herpes transmission and will also contribute to reducing the transmission of HIV.”
Neonatal herpes can sometimes lead to serious complications. This condition typically occurs when a mother first becomes infected in late pregnancy and transmits the virus to her baby during childbirth.
Infants infected with herpes are at risk of encephalitis, seizures, spinal damage, vision impairment, and permanent brain damage.
There is no cure for herpes. Treatment is known to alleviate symptoms.
WHO recommends using condoms during sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of transmission and avoiding sexual contact when symptoms are present. Additionally, they are seeking fundamental solutions, such as developing preventive vaccines and targeted therapies.
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