5 Essential Facts About Herpes You Need to Know

Approximately 3.7 billion people under age 50 globally have herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), according to the World Health Organization. While the infection cannot be cured, the American Sexual Health Association states it is a manageable skin condition, though many infected individuals remain unaware of their status due to a lack of symptoms.

The World Health Organization reports that 67% of the global population under 50 has HSV-1, which primarily causes oral herpes but is an increasing cause of genital herpes. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) mainly causes genital herpes, affecting roughly 491 million people aged 15–49, or 13% of that demographic worldwide, according to the same organization.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 12% of people aged 14-49—roughly 1 in 8—have a genital HSV-2 infection. The American Sexual Health Association notes this figure does not include those with genital herpes caused by HSV-1, meaning the total number of genital infections is higher.

Why are so many people unaware they have herpes?

Many individuals do not know they are infected because the virus often produces no symptoms or causes mild reactions. The American Sexual Health Association reports that 85% to 90% of people diagnosed with herpes were previously unaware of the infection.

Some people confuse mild symptoms with other skin issues, such as pimples or ingrown hairs. In other cases, a person may experience a single outbreak, such as a cold sore during childhood, and never experience another symptom again.

How is the herpes virus transmitted?

Herpes spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact rather than body fluids. This includes kissing and oral, anal, or vaginal sex, as well as genital-to-genital rubbing, according to the American Sexual Health Association.

Transmission can occur even when no visible sores or lesions are present. This process is known as asymptomatic shedding. While condoms provide some protection, the American Sexual Health Association notes they cannot cover all skin areas where the virus may be present.

The association suggests avoiding the sharing of towels or sex toys that make direct contact with anal and genital skin when sores are present. Sharing items like razors or utensils is considered highly unlikely to transmit the virus, though sharing lipsticks or glosses is discouraged.

What treatments are available to manage the infection?

There is no cure for herpes simplex virus infections, but various treatments can control outbreaks and manage symptoms. The American Sexual Health Association identifies suppressive antiviral therapy as a primary option for reducing both outbreaks and asymptomatic shedding.

Daily use of Valacyclovir can reduce the likelihood of passing the virus to a partner by as much as 50%, according to the American Sexual Health Association.

What is the current status of herpes vaccine research?

Research is currently underway for both preventive and therapeutic vaccines. According to the American Sexual Health Association, the primary focus of this research is HSV-2, the leading cause of genital infection.

The association indicates that HSV-2 vaccines may also provide benefits in preventing or treating HSV-1 infections.