An estimated 3.7 billion people under age 50 (67%) have HSV-1 infection globally. An estimated 491 million people aged 15-49 (13%) worldwide have HSV-2 infection. Most oral and genital herpes infections are asymptomatic. Symptoms of herpes include painful blisters or ulcers at the site of infection.

Does everybody have herpes simplex?

The American Sexual Health Association estimates that roughly half of all adults in the United States have oral herpes. Oral herpes is usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Not everyone has symptoms, but oral herpes can cause cold sores or blisters around the mouth.

Who is most at risk for herpes simplex?

Genital herpes is more common in women than in men. But the infection spreads from men to women more easily. The risk is highest among teens and young adults who are more likely to take risks with sex. The biggest risk is the number of sex partners in a persons lifetime.

What percentage of population has herpes?

Prevalence and incidence. An estimated 491.5 million people were living with HSV-2 infection in 2016, equivalent to 13.2% of the worlds population aged 15 to 49 years. HSV-2 is almost exclusively sexually transmitted, causing infection in the genital or anal area (genital herpes).

Can HSV1 go away?

After someone is initially infected, the virus can lie dormant without causing any symptoms. But it can reactivate later, typically after some sort of stress like a cold, an infection, hormonal changes, or menstrual periods. Cold sores from HSV1 usually go away on their own within 5 to 7 days.