A new report from the World Health Organization reveal that more than 3.7 billion people, composing two-thirds of the world population, are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 or HSV-1, CBS reported.
According to CBS the herpes simplex virus has two types and both are highly infectious and incurable. The one that WHO says had infected two-thirds of the world, which is HSV-1, can be transmitted by oral-to-oral contact and can cause lesions on the lips or around the mouth.
Dr. Holly Phillips, medical contributor for CBS News, further revealed that those infected with HSV-1 have contracted the virus ever since they were kids.
He said, "It usually lies dormant in the system. It's incurable. You never get rid of it but it lies dormant most of the time. Every now and again people have outbreaks and that's when you can see the blisters."
Dr. Phillips added that the outbreaks may vary from person to person. For example, most people spark outbreaks when their immune system is under stress, usually when one has cold or flu. Other people have outbreaks when they are fatigued. While some people develop due to sun exposure and some women will get an outbreak if they are pregnant or are having their menstrual period.
WHO, in its report (via Yahoo!), said that 87 percent of Africans under 50 have the virus. So goes with 75 percent of people living in the eastern Mediterranean and western Pacific regions. In the U.S., 39 percent of men and 49 percent of women while in Europe, 61 percent of men and 69 percent of women are infected with HSV-1.
HSV-2, the other type of the herpes simplex virus, is almost entirely sexually transmitted and causes genital herpes. HSV-2 can lead to more complex health conditions like swelling in the brain and results in painful blisters. It is also a predisposing factor in getting or spreading HIV.
In a statement, WHO emphasized that better education about the virus is highly needed.
Dr. Marleen Temmerman, Director of the Department of Reproductive Health and Research in the World Health Organization, said, "Access to education and information on both types of herpes and sexually transmitted infections is critical to protect young people's health before they become sexually active."
