How many people have herpes hsv1

How many people in the world have herpes

Like other infections, the most common approach to diagnosing a condition is its symptoms. That is proven by how doctors identify your medical status based on physical exams. However, in terms of the herpes infection, it is sometimes difficult to know if you have already acquired the virus because some individuals do not show signs of the said illness.

There is no solid number showing how many people have herpes. Most of the time, people only experience its mild symptoms, which can be mistaken for a typical skin rash or lesion. Additionally, being asymptomatic also makes it challenging to identify the infection.

Herpes infection has two main types – HSV1 and HSV2. The first type is oral herpes, while the second is genital herpes. Medical experts studying these conditions believe that a significant fraction of the world’s population experience symptoms of cold sores. Since it is more common, what is the precise percentage that illustrates how many people have oral herpes?

Although the numbers are unsettled, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that a whopping 67% of people below 50 years old have oral herpes. This statistic best shows how many people have HSV1. Compared to genital herpes, estimates are precise that more people are susceptible to oral herpes as it is easier to acquire through direct contact with someone who has the infection.

How many people have genital herpes

An international organization called the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a statistic showing how many people have genital herpes. This report shows that in the United States, more than 1 in 6 individuals carry the kind of herpes infection involving the genitals. However, the said report only encompasses people between 15 and 49 years old.

Besides the CDC, the WHO also notes that HSV2 or genital herpes is more common in females. The principal reason is that the infection transmits easily to women via sexual contact. In 2012, the organization concluded that 267 million women and 150 million men have genital herpes.

Percentage of people with herpes

The information below shows what percent of people have herpes. This report is only an estimate by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016.

• 7 billion people with HSV1 = 66.6% of the world’s population
• 5 million people with HSV2 = 13.2% of the world’s population

This statistic will tell you the high and overwhelming percentage of people with herpes, especially with HSV1. However, regardless of the type of herpes, many people are unaware they have the infection.

List of herpes drugs

Thanks to advancements in medical technology, antiviral drugs are available to treat herpes. Although these drugs do not cure the infection, they are highly efficient in diminishing the severe effects of the herpes simplex virus. Consider the following:

Famciclovir – This antiviral drug works best in subduing cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. It is also available under the brand name Famvir.

Valacyclovir – The main functions of valacyclovir are (1) to slow down the spread of the virus and (2) to support the body’s immunity in fighting the infection. You can purchase this drug under the brand name Valtrex.

Acyclovir – Besides reducing the effects of herpes symptoms, Acyclovir also prevents recurrent herpes outbreaks. This medicine is available under the brand name Zovirax.

Takeaway

There is no exact number validating how many people in the world have herpes. The figure may be elusive but taking extra measures to avoid the infection is always the main priority. Talk to your healthcare professional today and learn about your risk of acquiring the infection. Practice safety measures to prevent herpes acquisition and avoid its asymptomatic yet severe effects on your health.

Sources:

medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-many-people-have-herpes
who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus
who.int/news/item/01-05-2020-massive-proportion-world-population-living-with-herpes-infection
cdc.gov/std/herpes/stats.htm
cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes-detailed.htm