Global Study Reveals 1 in 5 Adults Under 50 Have Genital Herpes

New research highlights the widespread prevalence, economic burden, and urgent need for vaccines against the lifelong sexually transmitted infection.

An estimated 846 million people aged 15-49 worldwide were living with genital herpes in 2020, according to updated data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is incurable and can cause recurrent painful genital blisters, significantly impacting mental health, sexual relationships, and quality of life.
HSV-2 remains the leading cause of genital herpes globally, and infection is linked to a threefold increased risk of contracting HIV.
The global economic burden of genital herpes is estimated at $35 billion annually, driven by healthcare costs and productivity losses.
Researchers emphasize the critical need for vaccine development, with several candidates currently undergoing clinical trials, though progress remains slow and challenging.