Nearly 900 million people under age 50 are affected by an incurable and highly contagious STD.

The rise of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continues to pose threats.

A recent study in the BMJ Journals Sexually Transmitted Infections reports that the global prevalence of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 is high.

Over 50% of the population aged 15 to 49 years old were infected with genital herpes in 2020.

At least one person is estimated to acquire the infection every second, resulting in 42 million cases annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Both types of HSV infections are chronic and can lead to symptomatic genital ulcer disease (GUC), according to researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar.

While HSV-1 mainly causes oral infection, like cold sores, it can also be sexually transmitted to cause a genital infection, the researchers said. HSV-2, on the other hand, almost always causes a sexually transmitted genital infection.

In 2020, over 200 million people experienced at least one painful symptomatic episode of the infection that causes genital sores and blisters.

Not every case of HSV is symptomatic, which makes transmission more likely.

The global high incidence and prevalence of HSV necessitate new prevention and treatment measures, including vaccines, to control the spread and reduce the disease burden.

Laith Abu-Raddad, a health care policy and research professor at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, highlighted the magnitude of HSV's influence.

The substantial global burden of symptomatic genital herpes, affecting 200 million people annually and incurring significant economic costs of $35 billion per year due to health care expenditures and productivity loss, was highlighted in a statement to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Abu-Raddad stated that a fundamental solution is necessary to tackle this pressing health challenge.

"Controlling the global spread of genital herpes on a large scale is a crucial step in developing a vaccine that protects against HSV-1 and HSV-2, the viruses responsible for the infection."

Curing the incurable

Although there is no cure for HSV, there are treatments available to alleviate symptoms.

Neonatal herpes, a serious complication, can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth due to STI.

The WHO reports that HSV-2 is responsible for 90% of symptomatic episodes and increases the likelihood of contracting HIV.

Everlywell's senior medical director, Dr. Gabe Gaviola, expressed his concern about the increased exposure to STDs through at-home testing and treatment.

"The virus is highly contagious and often asymptomatic, making it difficult to prevent and diagnose early, according to Gaviola, who was not involved in the study."

"The persistent stigma associated with genital herpes may discourage individuals from seeking treatment or disclosing their herpes status to partners, leading to further spread."

Gaviola emphasized that HSV infection increases the likelihood of contracting other STIs because of the "sores and weakened skin barrier," making it "essential to undergo thorough testing and receive appropriate treatment."

Lack of public awareness, prevention efforts, and access to testing and treatment are contributing to high prevalence rates, particularly among individuals aged 15 to 49 years old, according to him.

To reduce the spread of symptoms, Gaviola advises those experiencing them to undergo regular screenings and communicate openly with sexual partners.

Using safer sex practices, such as condom use and antiviral treatments for those with HSV, can decrease the spread of the virus.

Gaviola states that while HSV outbreaks can be controlled and may decrease in frequency or severity over time, flare-ups can occur during periods of stress or illness.

After initial infection, HSV remains dormant in nerve cells, making it "extremely difficult to completely eradicate from the body," he stated.

"The virus can reactivate at any time, often without warning, and its dormancy allows it to evade the immune system, preventing the body from eliminating the infection."

"It can reactivate at any time, often without warning."

He stated that although no cures have been found yet, advancements in vaccine creation and antiviral treatments are encouraging.

"The global burden of HSV can be effectively managed through the implementation of public health measures aimed at reducing transmission and enhancing treatment."

The herpes virus, similar to chickenpox and shingles, makes it challenging to develop a cure, according to Anna Wald, M.D., a professor of medicine, laboratory medicine, and epidemiology at the University of Washington. Early preclinical trials are currently being conducted.

"Gene therapy, a potentially risky approach for a non-lethal disease, may be necessary for a cure, according to Wald. However, progress is slow due to the risks involved."

The doctor stated that some attempts to create a preventive vaccine have been unsuccessful.

She stated that testing vaccines for prevention is costly, but there are promising new candidate vaccines that may begin trials soon.

"An optimal approach, in my view, would be to use a preventative vaccine, but we lack the knowledge on how to create one that will be effective, and testing them is a time-consuming and expensive process."