Global Study Reveals 846 Million People Infected with Genital Herpes

The World Health Organization highlights the urgent need for better prevention and treatment as the virus continues to spread silently and impact millions worldwide.

• A new study estimates that over 846 million people aged 15–49 are living with genital herpes globally, with 42 million new cases occurring annually.
• Genital herpes, caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2, is a lifelong infection that often goes undetected due to mild or no symptoms in many individuals.
• The infection significantly increases the risk of HIV transmission and poses rare but severe risks, such as neonatal herpes in newborns.
• Economic costs associated with genital herpes, including healthcare and lost productivity, are estimated at $35 billion annually worldwide.
• The World Health Organization calls for the development of vaccines and improved treatments, as current prevention strategies like condoms and antiviral therapies remain insufficient.

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Study Finds DER SPIEGEL ScienceAlert World Health Organization Sächsische Zeitung UPI Newsweek