The infection costs R$215 billion to healthcare services worldwide. In 2020, one person every second contracted the virus. Updated estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that 1 in 5 people aged 15 to 29 have genital herpes, equating to 846 million people.
The report published in the scientific journal Sexually Trans sent Infections, based on 2020 data, indicates that the most common cause of genital ulcers remains herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
There has also been an increase in people contracting the type 1 virus, more associated with oral infection, which causes mouth ulcers.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and many people who contract the disease never experience symptoms.
After infection, however, symptoms may appear in isolated outbreaks or in more recurrent episodes. In some cases, genital ulcers may develop, usually appearing as small, sometimes red, blisters around the genitals.
They are different from genital warts, which usually appear as small, raised bumps and are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
What does the new data show about herpes infections?
According to the study, 25.6 million people contracted a new HSV-2 infection in 2020. 519.5 million were already infected. Another 16.8 million had a genital HSV-1 infection that year, adding to the 376.2 million who already had the disease.
In total, there were 42 million new cases of the disease in 2020, equivalent to one person every second.
Risks
Whether transmitted sexually or orally, herpes is a disease that people live with all their lives and there is no cure.
It is for these reasons that finding a vaccine is important, said the report’s lead researcher, Laith J. Abu Raddad of Cornell University, USA.
“It is inconvenient for many people who live with symptomatic ulcers that affect their sexual relationships, [e] they affect your mental health,” he told DW.
Recent analyzes estimate that the global cost of treating genital herpes in 2024 will be $35 billion per year (R$215 billion). This pressure on the healthcare system occurs mainly in the Americas and the Western Pacific regions.
Symptomatic HSV-2 infection is also associated with an increased risk of HIV transmission. Although research into this link is still ongoing, previous investigations have identified that the risk of HIV infection is tripled among people with type 2 genital herpes.
Abu Raddad pointed to methods that can help reduce transmission, such as using condoms and oral medications to reduce viral replication. However, relying on these measures to reduce transmission is not always realistic.
“If we develop a vaccine, people will receive it at a young age and it will protect them. This would be a substantial improvement for society,” he said.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
