World Health Organization Study Shows 3.7 Billion People Under 50 Years Old Are Infected With Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

A study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that 3.7 billion people below 50 years old have been infected with herpes simplex virus Type 1 or HSV-1, which is passed on through saliva, as reported by CTV News.

Reports have revealed that the latest figures infected with herpes virus are two-thirds of the world's population.

According to a US News report, the latest study highlighted that HSV-1 is frequently spread to the genital part through oral sex.

"Because more people are practicing oral sex, we are now seeing more Type 1 herpes causing genital herpes," Dr. Neil Rau told CTV News.

He added that most of the people infected with herpes often do not show signs of the virus.

"Only one in 12 people who have herpes know that they have it, so there's a huge ocean of people who are carriers of the virus and who have no idea," he said.

Rau went on, "It's the type of virus that once you get it, you don't actually clear it. It goes into a dormant state. Most people have no symptoms, some reactivate once in a blue moon. Some people don't reactivate but they shed the virus from time to time and that's how they pass it to others."

Meanwhile, WHO says awareness of herpes virus is important to protect people from obtaining the virus. Herpes has two types which are the HSV-1 and HSV-2 which are both incurable.

"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," said Dr. Marleen Temmerman, WHO's Department of Reproductive Health and Research director.

According to the latest study, some 140 million people between ages 15-49 have genital infections caused by HSV-1, with most of them are from America, Europe and Western Pacific.