WHO Raises Alarm As Herpes Infections Hit 846 Million
The World Health Organization (WHO) said approximately 846 million people aged 15-49 are living with genital herpes infections, accounting for more than one in five of this age group globally.
WHO, in a statement, said the estimate was released in a study on Wednesday. It said at least one person every second, or 42 million people annually, is estimated to acquire a new genital herpes infection.
The authors of the study, published in the journal of Sexually Transmitted Infections, noted that most times these infections cause no or few symptoms.
WHO said new treatments and vaccines are needed to reduce adverse health effects of the herpes virus and control its spread.
“While most infections cause few or no symptoms, some people experience painful genital sores and blisters that can recur throughout life, causing significant discomfort and often requiring multiple healthcare visits.”
Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes at WHO, Dr Meg Doherty, reiterated that better prevention and treatment options are urgently needed to reduce herpes transmission.
According to the new estimate report, the herpes has no cure, although the symptoms can be relieved by treatments. It also said that in addition to sores, genital herpes can also on occasion lead to serious complications, including neonatal herpes – a rare condition most likely to occur when a mother acquires the infection for the first time in late pregnancy and then transmits the virus to her baby during childbirth.
The WHO identified the two types of herpes infection as simplex virus (HSV), known as HSV-1 and HSV-2.
It added that an estimated 520 million people in 2020 had genital HSV-2. It said from a public health perspective, HSV-2 is more serious since it is substantially more likely to cause recurrent outbreaks, accounting for around 90% of symptomatic episodes, and is linked to a three-fold increased risk of getting HIV.
The author of the report, Dr Sami Gottlieb who is also a Medical Officer within WHO’s Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, stated that the stigma surrounding genital herpes had led to inadequate discussion, in spite of its global impact on millions of people. Adding that insufficient effort have been made to address this common infection.
Gottlieb reiterated the need for “expanded research and investment in developing new herpes vaccines and therapies, and their equitable use, to play a critical role in improving quality of life for people around the world.”
While acknowledging that condoms were not fully effective in stopping the spread of herpes, Gottlieb noted that correct and consistent use could reduce transmission risks.
She also advised individuals with active symptoms to avoid sexual contact, as herpes was most contagious when sores are present.
“The WHO recommends HIV testing for individuals with genital herpes symptoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention if necessary.
“In line with its Global Health Sector Strategy on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections for 2022-2030, the WHO aims to increase awareness about genital herpes infections and related issues.”
She added that a recent study showed that the infections result in major economic costs, estimated at $35bn annually worldwide, due to healthcare expenditures and productivity loss.
The WHO recommends that to address this issue, there should be increased awareness about genital herpes infections, improved access to antiviral medications, and promotion of related HIV prevention efforts.
WHO Raises Alarm As Herpes Infections Hit 846 Million is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
