Worldwide genital herpes infection rates

WHO says most of the time, these infections cause no or few symptoms.
Dec. 11, 2024
2 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) says, “around 846 million people aged between 15 and 49 are living with genital herpes infections – more than 1 in 5 of this age-group globally – according to new estimates.

The study was published in Sexually Transmitted Infections. The authors urge for new treatments and vaccines control its spread. A WHO press release says, “at least 1 person each second – 42 million people annually – is estimated to acquire a new genital herpes infection.”

Additional points from the study:

·       In 2020, 520 million people had genital HSV-2.

·       In 2020, 376 million people are estimated to have had genital HSV-1 infections. Of these, 50 million are estimated also to have HSV-2 because it is possible to have both types simultaneously.

·       There were no difference in 2020 estimates of genital HSV-2 in 2020 compared to 2016, but estimated genital HSV-1 infections are higher.

WHO release

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