Genital herpes is highly contagious and affects millions worldwide. Researchers urge for more effective vaccines to reduce the health and economic burden of HSV infections.
The most recent global estimates indicate that 846 million people, or 1 in 5 of the world’s under-50 population, have a genital herpes infection. This was published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Estimated global and regional incidence and prevalence of herpes simplex virus infections and genital ulcer disease in 2020: mathematical modelling analyses
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In 2020, the most recent year for which data are available, almost 200 million people aged 15 to 49 probably experienced at least one symptomatic outbreak of the virus.
The findings led the researchers to call for the development of new treatments and vaccinations to prevent the spread of the infection and reduce its health and expenses, given that currently existing choices have only had a minor influence on the population.
The herpes simplex virus exists in two forms: type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Both are contagious, incurable, and everlasting.
HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by oral contact in children, which causes “cold sores” in or near the mouth. However, it can occasionally result in more severe issues with the skin, mucous membranes, eyes, and nervous system. Additionally, the researchers claim that sexual interaction at older ages is becoming a more common way for it to spread.
HSV-2 is the primary cause of painful genital blisters that occur often and are virtually exclusively sexually transferred through skin-to-skin contact. Additionally, both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be transmitted to neonates, albeit this is uncommon and frequently results in death.
In a bid to update previous estimates of the global incidence and prevalence of genital HSV infection, the researchers incorporated a series of recent comprehensive systematic reviews and pooled data analyses published up to March 2022.
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They deployed mathematical modelling to estimate the global and regional incidence and prevalence of genital HSV infection and related symptoms in 2020.
Based on the available data, the researchers estimated that globally 26 million 15–49-year-olds were newly infected with HSV-2 infection, and an estimated 520 million had an existing infection—just over 13% of those in this age group.
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An estimated 17 million 15–49-year-olds acquired HSV-1 infection genitally, and an estimated 376 million (10% of those in this age group) had existing infection in 2020.
In all, two-thirds of the global population up to the age of 49—-nearly 4 billion people—-were infected (mostly orally) with HSV-1 in 2020, the researchers estimated.
The researchers estimated that the total global numbers of new and existing HSV infections among 15–49-year-olds in 2020 were 42 million and 846 million, respectively.
The estimated number of 15–49-year-olds who had at least one episode of genital sores in 2020 was 188 million for those infected with HSV-2, and 17 million for those infected with genital HSV-1, adding up to a total of 205 million.
The researchers acknowledge various limitations to their findings, including the scarcity of data for people at either end of the age spectrum and relatively wide ranges for some of their estimates.
But they nevertheless conclude: “HSV infections are widely prevalent in all global regions, leading to a significant burden of [genital ulcer disease] with repercussions on psychosocial, sexual, and reproductive health, neonatal transmission, and HIV transmission. However, hardly any specific programmes for HSV prevention and control exist, even in resource-rich countries.”
They add: “There is a need for HSV prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines as a strategic approach to control transmission and to curb the disease and economic burdens of these infections.”
Reference:
- Estimated global and regional incidence and prevalence of herpes simplex virus infections and genital ulcer disease in 2020: mathematical modelling analyses- (https:sti.bmj.com/content/early/2024/11/12/sextrans-2024-056307)
Source-Eurekalert
