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 released by World Health Organisation.

In a statement,  WHO said that at least one person each second – 42 million people annually – is estimated to acquire a new genital herpes infection.

“Most of the time, these infections cause no or few symptoms," the statement says. "However, for some people they lead to painful genital sores and blisters that can recur throughout life, causing significant discomfort and often requiring multiple healthcare visits.”

According to the estimates, more than 200 million people aged 15 to 49 suffered at least one such symptomatic episode in 2020.

The authors of the study, published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, say that new treatments and vaccines are needed to reduce adverse health effects of the herpes virus and control its spread.

“While most people with a genital herpes infection experience few symptoms, with so many infections genital herpes still causes pain and distress for millions globally and strains already overburdened health systems,” says Dr Meg Doherty, Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes at WHO. “Better prevention and treatment options are urgently needed to reduce herpes transmission and will also contribute to reducing the transmission of HIV.”

Currently, there is no cure for herpes, although treatments can relieve symptoms. In addition to sores, genital herpes can also on occasion lead to serious complications, including neonatal herpes – a rare condition most likely to occur when a mother acquires the infection for the first time in late pregnancy and then transmits the virus to her baby during childbirth.

There are two types of the herpes simplex virus (HSV), known as HSV-1 and HSV-2, both of which can lead to genital herpes. According to the estimates, 520 million people in 2020 had genital HSV-2, which is transmitted during sexual activity. 

From a public health perspective, genital HSV-2 is more serious since it is substantially more likely to cause recurrent outbreaks, accounts for around 90% of symptomatic episodes, and is linked to a three-fold increased risk of getting HIV.

Unlike HSV-2, HSV-1 primarily spreads during childhood through saliva or skin contact around the mouth to cause oral herpes, with cold sores or mouth ulcers the most common symptoms. Among those without previous infection, however, HSV-1 can be acquired through sexual contact.

Some 376 million people are estimated to have had genital HSV-1 infections in 2020. Of these, 50 million are estimated also to have HSV-2 as it is possible to have both types at the same time.

“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,” notes Dr Sami Gottlieb, an author of the report. “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.”

Earlier this year, a study showed that genital herpes infections not only cause significant health impacts but also major economic costs – amounting to an estimated US $35 billion a year worldwide – through health care expenditures and productivity loss.

Also read: FACT CHECK: Are all types of herpes infections sexually transmitted? - First Check