Around 846 million people aged 15 to 49 are infected with the genital herpes virus, according to new estimates. This equates to more than one in five people in this age group.
A person is infected with the genital herpes virus every second, amounting to 42 million new infections per year, according to a study shared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and published in a medical journal focused on sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
In most cases, these infections show no symptoms or only minor ones. However, they can sometimes cause blisters, sores, or ulcers around the genital or anal areas. These symptoms can recur, and some can lead to complications, such as neonatal herpes transmitted from mother to newborn during childbirth.
There is no cure for these infections, but treatments are available to relieve the symptoms. The study's authors emphasise the need for new treatments and vaccines.
"Better prevention and treatments are urgently needed to reduce herpes transmission and help lower HIV transmission," said Meg Doherty, director of global HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infection programmes at the WHO.
There are two types of herpes: type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1, known as oral or facial herpes, causes infections in or around the mouth, commonly referred to as cold sores. It is mainly transmitted through oral contact but can also cause genital herpes. HSV-2 is transmitted through sexual contact and causes genital herpes, increasing the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV.
Many people are unaware that they carry an HSV virus and unknowingly pass it on.
More generally, Belgium has seen a sharp rise in the number of STIs in the past four years, attributed to a lack of awareness about transmission, prevention, testing and treatment.
