Statistics on herpes

[Atrapasueños]

The page is in spanish

http://www.semana.com/vida-moderna/articulo/oms-el-herpes-afecta-la-mitad-de-la-poblacion/448022-3

[VVK]

Article is from 2015, maybe dated information on stats too as sources aren't listed.

In English:

Half of the population have herpes, according to WHO

Another advertisement from the World Health Organization causes a stir: more than 60% of the population under 50 suffers from the herpes virus.

    WHO: Herpes affects half of the population

America is the least affected region, with 49% of women under 50 years of age infected and 39% of men of that age. Photo: Archive WEEK.

More than 60% of the world's population under 50 suffers from type 1 herpes, an incurable infection that causes febrile blisters and in some cases genital herpes, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

"More than 3.7 billion people under 50, 67% of the population (under 50), are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)," the UN said in a statement. release.

This virus, which is transmitted mainly by contact with virus particles of febrile blisters, saliva and oral, labial or perioral surfaces, affects 87% of people under 50 years in Africa and 75% of those under 50 years of the Eastern Mediterranean region.

In Europe, 69% of women under the age of 50 have the virus as well as 61% of men under age 50. America is the least affected region, with 49% of women under 50 years of age infected and 39% of men of that age.

In countries with higher incomes there are fewer people infected during childhood, probably thanks to better life hygiene, the statement said. They are, however, at an increased risk of getting cold sores when practicing oral sex once they are sexually active.

There are two types of herpes virus: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Both are "very contagious and incurable," according to the United Nations specialized agency.

HSV-2, which is mainly sexually transmitted, is the major cause of genital herpes and affects about 417 million people between the ages of 15 and 49.

The new WHO studies show, however, that HSV-1 "is also an important cause of genital herpes."

About 140 million people between the ages of 15 and 49 contracted HSV-1 genital herpes, particularly in the Americas, Europe and the Western Pacific, according to the report.

"Access to education and information on both types of herpes and sexually transmitted infections is paramount to protecting the health of young people before they are sexually active," said Dr. Marleen Temmerman, director of the Department of Health. the OMS.

There are antiviral drugs to help reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms, but they can not end the infection.

Researchers are studying possible vaccines and antimicrobial agents to stop herpes.