Over one fifth of adult global population has an active herpes virus infection - World Health Organisation

Recent estimates reveal that approximately 846 million individuals aged 15-49 live with herpes infections worldwide; that accounts for one fifth of this age-group globally, as per newly published estimates. At least 1 person every second – that equates to 42 million annually – are estimated to contract herpes genitalis infections, most often without showing symptoms or only with minimal ones. However, for some individuals they lead to painful genital sores and blisters which recur throughout life and require multiple healthcare visits for relief. Estimations suggest that over 200 million people aged 15-49 experienced at least one such symptomatic episode during 2020. Study authors published in Sexually Transmitted Infections argue that new treatments and vaccines must be developed to counter the detrimental health impacts caused by herpes viruses as well as prevent their further spread. “While most individuals with herpes experience minimal symptoms, this disease remains painful for millions globally and strains already-overburdened healthcare systems”, noted Dr Meg Doherty of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infection Programs. “Enhanced prevention and treatment methods are needed urgently in order to curb herpes transmission, thus decreasing HIV transmission rates,” according to experts at HIV Prevention Coalition of Africa (HPCOA). Sadly, herpes has no cure, although treatments can relieve its symptoms. Genital herpes is not limited to sores; sometimes its complications may become serious enough that neonatal herpes occurs as a rare side-effect if its initial infection comes during late gestation and then transmits itself via birthing process. HSV-1 and HSV-2, the two types of herpes simplex virus that cause genital herpes, were estimated to affect 520 million people by 2020 alone; according to estimates, over 90 percent were transferred during sexual contact activities. HSV-2 poses greater public health concerns due to its greater likelihood of recurring outbreaks and around 90% symptomatic episodes compared with HSV-1’s primary mode of spreading through saliva or skin to skin contact around the mouth; it usually manifests itself with cold sores or mouth ulcers as symptoms. HSV-1 infection may also occur through sexual contact in those without prior infection; 376 million are estimated to have had HSV-1 genital infections by 2020. Of these 50 million estimated HSV-1 infections, 50 million may also have HSV-2 as it’s possible for both types of virus infection at once. Although estimates for 2020 show nearly no change in prevalence rates of Genital HSV-2 infections compared with 2016, projected Genital HSV-1 infections appear higher. Over recent years, several countries have noted shifting patterns of transmission of HSV-1 infections across various age groups; adult genital infections appear to have increased while childhood oral infections decreased. Reduced oral spread among children may be linked to factors like less crowded living conditions and better hygiene practices that then increase susceptibility as people grow older – these increases may partially reflect changes in methods or sources for data gathering and may reflect changes in methods or sources as well. The authors speculate that such increases might also reflect method changes as well as additional data sources. “Genital herpes is still stigmatised, even though millions worldwide suffer from its impact. Dr Sami Gottlieb, one of the authors and Medical Officer of WHO’s Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme for Research Development Training Human Reproduction (HRP), found that not enough action had been taken against this prevalent infection. Extending research and investment to develop herpes vaccines and therapies and their equitable use worldwide could play an invaluable role in improving global quality of life.” Condoms cannot completely stop herpes transmission; however, their use may reduce risk significantly. Individuals experiencing active symptoms should limit sexual contact as sores present are most contagious at such times.” WHO recommends that those experiencing symptoms of genital herpes should receive HIV testing and, if required, preexposure prophylaxis as prevention against future outbreaks of HIV infection. According to its Global Health Sector Strategy on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections for 2022-2030, WHO seeks to raise awareness about genital herpes infections and associated symptoms; improve access to antiviral medicines; and support related HIV prevention efforts. As part of their efforts, they also seek to advance research and development of tools to prevent and control herpes infections such as vaccines, treatments and topical microbicides. Recently, a study demonstrated how herpes infections cause not only major health impacts but also significant economic costs – estimated at an estimated US $35 billion each year worldwide due to healthcare expenditure and productivity loss. Editor’s note:This study, Estimating Global and Regional Incidence and Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Infection and Genital Ulcer Disease by 2020: Mathematical Modeling Analyses, provides updates to 2012 and 2016 WHO estimates. Experts from WHO, HRP and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar’s WHO Collaborating Centre for Epidemiological Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Viral Hepatitis as well as Bristol University authored it. Based on comprehensive regional systematic reviews and meta-analyses of HSV-1 and HSV-2 prevalence across all WHO regions, this study estimates the global and regional incidence and prevalence of genital HSV infection as well as related genital ulcer disease by 2020.