Genital herpes infections affect 846M people globally, WHO reports

SWITZERLAND—The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new estimates revealing that approximately 846 million people aged 15 to 49 are living with genital herpes infections worldwide, accounting for more than 1 in 5 people in this age group.

This figure highlights the widespread nature of the infection, with an estimated 42 million people acquiring new genital herpes infections annually—about one person every second.

While most people with genital herpes experience few or no symptoms, some individuals develop painful genital sores and blisters that can recur throughout their lives. These symptoms often require multiple healthcare visits.

In 2020 alone, more than 200 million people in this age group experienced at least one symptomatic episode of genital herpes.

The study, published in the Sexually Transmitted Infections journal, emphasises the urgent need for new treatments and vaccines to reduce the health impacts of genital herpes and control its spread.

According to Dr. Meg Doherty, WHO’s Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs Programs, despite many people experiencing few symptoms, genital herpes remains a source of pain and distress for millions, contributing to the strain on already overburdened healthcare systems.

Better prevention and treatment options are crucial to reducing transmission and can also play a key role in limiting the spread of HIV.

Currently, no cure exists for herpes, though available treatments can alleviate symptoms.

In addition to genital sores, genital herpes can sometimes lead to serious complications, such as neonatal herpes, which occurs when a mother acquires the infection late in pregnancy and passes it to her baby during childbirth.

Genital herpes is caused by two types of the herpes simplex virus (HSV): HSV-1 and HSV-2.

The more serious form, HSV-2, is transmitted during sexual contact and is responsible for about 90% of symptomatic episodes.It also increases the risk of acquiring HIV.

In contrast, HSV-1 primarily spreads through oral contact and is typically associated with cold sores, though it can also cause genital infections in some cases.

The new estimates show that around 520 million people had genital HSV-2 infections in 2020, while 376 million had genital HSV-1 infections.

Interestingly, changing transmission patterns have been observed in some countries, with adult genital infections increasing as childhood oral infections decline. This shift may be due to improved hygiene and living conditions.

Despite the scale of the problem, genital herpes remains a stigmatized issue, often not discussed enough, according to Dr. Sami Gottlieb, a WHO expert.

He called for more research and investment in developing effective vaccines and therapies, which could improve the quality of life for millions globally.

While condoms can reduce the risk of transmission, they are not fully effective.

WHO recommends that people with genital herpes symptoms get tested for HIV and, if necessary, take pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV.

With genital herpes causing significant health impacts and an estimated US$35 billion in global economic costs annually, WHO continues to push for greater awareness, better access to antiviral treatments, and ongoing research to improve prevention and control efforts.

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