One in five adults worldwide has Herpes, says new study

New research in the British Medical Journal has highlighted an increase in Herpes Simplex Virus infections and genital ulcer disease in 2020. Between 2016 and 2020, researchers estimate that global Herpes infections have risen to the extent that the virus now infects 846 million people aged 15 to 49. At least one person each second—around 42 million people annually—is estimated to acquire a new infection.

This raises questions about the efficacy of public health and prevention strategies. While not serious and asymptomatic in most cases, Herpes can cause pain and distress in many people who get it.

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What is Herpes?

Most people have heard of Herpes in some way, whether it’s the sexually transmitted infection that causes irritation in the genitals or the virus that causes cold sores around the mouth.

The study quoted above suggests that Herpes is far more common than many people believe. The majority of Herpes infections don’t cause symptoms, and the ones that do cause symptoms are usually fairly minor.

However, some Herpes infections can cause serious distress to the people who end up infected.

Herpes infections can be divided into two different types: Oral Herpes and Genital Herpes.

Oral Herpes, sometimes called HSV-1, is an oral STI caused by a virus that infects your nerve endings. The virus periodically migrates to the skin, causing outbreaks of fluid-filled blisters around the mouth. These blisters erupt and scab over. The appearance of blisters may also be accompanied by headaches, body aches, flu-like symptoms, and pain and itching around the site of infection.

Genital Herpes, sometimes called HSV-2, tends to infect the genital area. When contracted, on the first outbreak, the infection can cause:

Small fluid-filled blisters that burst, leaving open sores which eventually scab over
Pain when passing urine
A general feeling of being unwell
Aches, pains, and flu-like symptoms
Burning, tingling, and itching sensations

The first outbreak of these blisters is usually the worst. Outbreaks tend to recur periodically with less intense symptoms than the first outbreak.

How do you get Herpes?

Both versions of the virus are very contagious. The virus usually spreads when one person touches the blisters or sores of the infected person. Genital Herpes tends to pass on through sex and foreplay, while Oral Herpes tends to pass on through kissing and touching.

With all that said, it’s possible to get an Oral Herpes infection around the genitals and a Genital Herpes infection in your mouth. It all depends on how you contract the infection.

Herpes can be tested in urine, blood, and swab samples, though blood and urine are used most often. Urine is usually only useful during a current infection when the virus is present in the sample provided.

While a Herpes infection can’t be completely cured, the symptoms can be managed with antiretroviral medication.

Why do so many people have Herpes?

While Herpes is highly contagious, the BMJ study drew attention to insufficient prevention and education efforts in WHO regions:

“HSV infections are at a high incidence and prevalence in all global regions, leading to significant disease and economic burden with repercussions on clinical sequelae and psychosocial, sexual, and reproductive health, neonatal transmission, and HIV transmission. Available prevention modalities are insufficient to control infection transmission, and have had, at best, modest population impact. There is a need for HSV prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines as a strategic approach to control transmission and to curb the disease and economic burden of these infections.”

The 2020 estimates reproduced in the study reveal that the prevalence of genital HSV-2 remains almost unchanged from when the last study was done in 2016. However, there has been an increase in genital HSV-1 cases. In recent years, several countries have noticed a shift in HSV-1 transmission patterns, with a rise in adult genital infections and a decline in childhood oral infections. This reduction in oral transmission during childhood may be attributed to less overcrowding at home and better hygiene practices, subsequently increasing susceptibility to the virus later in life.

The authors of the study go on to say the following:

“Stigma around [Genital Herpes] means it has been discussed too little, despite affecting millions of people globally. Not enough has been done to address this common infection…Expanded research and investment in developing new [Herpes] vaccines and therapies, and their equitable use, could play a critical role in improving quality of life for people around the world.”

Although condoms are not completely effective in preventing the spread of Herpes, their correct and consistent use can significantly reduce the risk of transmission. Individuals with active symptoms should refrain from sexual contact, as Herpes is most contagious when sores are visible. Those showing symptoms of Genital Herpes should be offered HIV testing and, if necessary, pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV.

The effect of Herpes infections is substantial. Early in 2024, a study in BMC Global and Public Health found that Genital Herpes infections cause significant health impacts and major economic ones, amounting to an estimated $35 billion USD a year worldwide through healthcare expenditure and productivity loss.

Final thoughts

While Herpes infections can’t be cured, symptoms can be managed with the right treatment. And while they don’t offer complete protection, condoms can reduce the level of transmission of all STIs including Herpes.

If you think you may have been exposed to Herpes, get in touch with Better2Know today to secure an appointment at a sexual health clinic near you.