Calls for a Herpes Cure

National Academies of Science and Medicine

Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus

Herpes Simplex Virus is the largest STI globally with no cure.

6 billion globally with HSV-1
66% of the world’s population has HSV-1
13% of the world’s population has HSV-2
40-80 million living with HSV-2 recurrent painful genital lesions
420,000+ new HIV infections each year due to GHSV-2
14,000 neonatal infections per year
~1,000 infant deaths in the US as a result of neonatal herpes annually
10 million with herpetic eye disease

NCHS Data Brief 2018

Health Impacts

Because of the asymptomatic nature of Herpes Simplex Virus, its burden of disease is under appreciated. Potential for severe disease exists in many patients, and 5% or an estimated 187 million people do have recurring genital lesions.

Herpes is also a neuropathic virus that lives in the peripheral and central nervous system, with potential for serious health impacts beyond oral and genital lesions.