The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new global estimates of the levels of infection worldwide, with more than 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 said to be affected. “An estimated 140 million people aged 15-49 years were calculated to have prevalent genital HSV-1 infection globally in 2012”.
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Reuters reported that while better hygiene practices have reduced the incidence of HSV-1 during childhood in rich countries, people are likely to have the virus when they become sexually active, contracting it from oral sex.
Dr Marleen Temmerman, director of WHO’s department of reproductive health and research, said it is crucial access to education and information about both types of herpes is available to young people before they become sexually active. In rare cases, HSV-1 infections can cause encephalitis or eye disease. “However, HSV-1 is an increasing cause of genital infection”, they write, with the prevalence of genital HSV-1 being highest in the Americas.
“The new estimates highlight the crucial need for countries to improve data collection for both HSV types and sexually transmitted infections in general”, added Dr. Temmerman. Prescription antiviral medications treat outbreaks of herpes symptoms, but there’s no “permanent and curative treatment”, the World Health Organization noted.
HSV-2 is traditionally called genital herpes, and it’s the kind most people think of as causing sexually transmitted infections. Several candidate vaccines and microbicides are now being studied. Herpes symptoms can be treated with antivirals, but after an initial episode, symptoms can recur.
The new estimates highlight, however, that HSV-1 is also an important cause of genital herpes.
But it causes more than cold sores.
Most people contract HSV-1 in childhood, through skin-to-skin contact with an infected adult. It urges people with herpes to abstain from sexual activity with partners when sores or other symptoms are present.
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Nathalie Broutet, also a WHO medical officer, said that the US National Institutes of Health and companies are carrying out trials to find out if a preventative vaccine can be preferred.
