{"id":61458,"date":"2023-11-13T09:14:43","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T14:14:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=61458"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:57:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T19:57:20","slug":"herpes-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/herpes-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Herpes statistics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Herpes is a virus that can spread through kissing, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital contact<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and sharing personal objects. It never leaves the body and may or may not cause symptoms. Active flare-ups may result in itching, tingling, burning, and blister-like sores.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we provide information on the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prevalence<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of herpes across different populations. We also look at the symptoms that the infection may cause and risk factors that may increase its spread.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-herpes\"><b>What is herpes?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Herpes simplex is a virus that causes painful <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blisters<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ulcers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and sores on the mouth or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital area<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is a lifelong, incurable infection, but oral medications and creams can help relieve and prevent <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outbreaks<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plannedparenthood.org\/learn\/stds-hiv-safer-sex\/herpes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">two types of herpes simplex<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Herpes simplex virus type 1<\/b><b> (<\/b><b>HSV-1<\/b><b>)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> most commonly affects the skin surrounding the face and mouth. Oral herpes, also known as cold sores or fever blisters, is a viral infection. HSV-1 can also cause symptoms in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital area.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Herpes simplex virus<\/b><b> type 2 (<\/b><b>HSV-2<\/b><b>)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> causes <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital herpes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which results in sores and blisters around the genitals, upper thighs, and anus. HSV-2 is a common <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexually transmitted infection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People experiencing their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/herpes-simplex-virus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first episode<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">herpes infection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may develop:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A sore throat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Body aches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swollen <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lymph nodes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/herpes\/about\/?CDC_AAref_Val=https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/std\/herpes\/stdfact-herpes.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reach a diagnosis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare providers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> take a history and perform a physical exam. They may also take a sample to a laboratory for testing or order a blood test to rule out other <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">infectious diseases<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. At-home tests are available, but may be less accurate than laboratory tests done in a healthcare provider\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-common-is-herpes\"><b>How common is herpes?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">herpes infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> do not cause symptoms or result in very mild symptoms. However, some people may have painful <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blisters<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that reappear multiple times. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/herpes-simplex-virus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Health Organization, WHO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HSV-2 infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are more likely to affect women than men. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/fullarticle\/2787903?utm_source=openevidence&amp;utm_medium=referral\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JAMA<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2022<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research estimates that 50\u201380% of adults in the United States have <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oral herpes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/conditions-and-diseases\/herpes-hsv1-and-hsv2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Johns Hopkins Medicine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2026)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genital herpes infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> occur in 1 out of 6 people in the U.S. between the ages of 14 and 49. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/conditions-and-diseases\/herpes-hsv1-and-hsv2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Johns Hopkins Medicine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2026)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"herpes-statistics-worldwide\"><b>Herpes statistics worldwide<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 3.8 billion people worldwide under 50 years old have <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HSV-1 infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/herpes-simplex-virus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 520 million people ages 15 to 49 have <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HSV-2 infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/herpes-simplex-virus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is estimated that around 187 million people, or about 5% of the world\u2019s population, had herpes-related genital <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ulcers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2016. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/01-05-2020-massive-proportion-world-population-living-with-herpes-infection\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2020)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"how-many-people-in-the-u-s-have-herpes\"><b>How many people in the U.S. have herpes?<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Researchers report that more than 50% of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> adults have <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oral herpes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashasexualhealth.org\/herpes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ASHA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seventy percent of people with genital herpes do not have symptoms and are unaware they have an infection. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/fullarticle\/2787903?utm_source=openevidence&amp;utm_medium=referral\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JAMA<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2022)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2018, there were an estimated 572,000 new <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital herpes infection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cases in the U.S. among those between the ages of 14 and 49. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33492103\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexually Transmitted Diseases<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2021)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Library of Medicine states that 1 in 1,000 newborns in the U.S. receive a diagnosis of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">neonatal herpes infection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The risk for this increases if the mother has developed a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital HSV<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> infection for the first time during pregnancy. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK482197\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NLM<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are an estimated 45 million adults living with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HSV-2 in the U.S<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK554427\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NLM<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 25% of new cases of genital herpes in the U.S. are caused by HSV-1, typically transmitted through oral sex. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/fullarticle\/2787903?utm_source=openevidence&amp;utm_medium=referral\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JAMA<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2022)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"herpes-statistics-by-age\"><b>Herpes statistics by age<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neonatal herpes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is rare, and less than 0.1% of babies born in the U.S. each year have this condition. Research shows that 20\u201325% of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pregnant women<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital herpes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but in most cases, it does not affect the fetus. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashasexualhealth.org\/herpes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ASHA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Herpes is a lifelong infectious disease. Its <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prevalence<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> increases as people age, but new cases occur mostly among adolescents. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/herpes-simplex-virus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before the age of five, most people have been exposed to HSV-1. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthychildren.org\/English\/health-issues\/conditions\/skin\/Pages\/Herpes-Simplex-Virus-Cold-Sores.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HealthyChildren.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"herpes-statistics-by-sex\"><b>Herpes statistics by sex<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Researchers note that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men ages 14 to 49 years have <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital herpes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealth.gov\/a-z-topics\/genital-herpes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Office on Women\u2019s Health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women are more likely to be infected with HSV-2. The virus can spread through <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexual contact<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more easily in the female anatomy. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK554427\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NLM<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2024)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"herpes-statistics-by-race-and-ethnicity\"><b>Herpes statistics by race and ethnicity<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HSV-2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> infection rates are higher among non-Hispanic African <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Americans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than non-Hispanic White people. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK554427\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NLM<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Office on Women\u2019s Health estimates that 1 in 2 African <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> women develops <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HSV-2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between the ages of 14 and 49. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealth.gov\/a-z-topics\/genital-herpes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Office on Women\u2019s Health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Half of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cases in the U.S. occur in young adults ages 15 to 24 years. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5401799\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Journal of Adolescent Health<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2017)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rates are lower among the Asian adolescent population. This could be because they are underrepresented in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexual health<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> studies. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5401799\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Journal of Adolescent Health<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2017)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"herpes-and-overall-health\"><b>Herpes and overall health<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Herpes can affect people\u2019s quality of life and cause complications:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HSV-2 infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can increase people&#8217;s risk of getting and spreading <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HIV infection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/herpes-simplex-virus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with a weak <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">immune system<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or advanced HIV may have more frequent and severe herpes symptoms than those who are not immunocompromised. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/herpes-simplex-virus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genital HSV<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> infections can increase the risk for yeast infections and bladder problems, especially in those with new infections. HSV-1 infection may rarely cause meningitis and severe eye infections. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK525769\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NLM<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HSV-1 infection may increase the lifetime risk of dementia by more than 45%. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/40934136\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neuroepidemiology<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"the-cost-of-herpes\"><b>The cost of herpes<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2019, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital herpes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was responsible for more than $800 million in treatment costs and productivity losses in low- and middle-income countries around the world. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/36520853\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PLoS Med<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2022 )<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lifetime direct medical costs of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital herpes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in people ages 15 to 49 years were around $972 per treated case in the U.S. between 2010 and 2018. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC10123760\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexually Transmitted Diseases<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2021)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"risk-factors-for-herpes\"><b>Risk factors for herpes<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Herpes occurs when people become infected with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/a-z\/herpes-simplex-causes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">herpes simplex virus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (HSV). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can spread through close contact, such as kissing, sharing personal items, or touching someone&#8217;s skin when they have an active infection, like a cold sore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genital herpes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can spread through <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital contact<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or when people have a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cold sore<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and perform <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oral sex<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which can spread the infection to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital area<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Risk factors for genital herpes <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/a-z\/herpes-simplex-causes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">include<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being female<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having multiple <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexual partners<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Becoming sexually active at a younger age<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having another <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STI<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakened immune function<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a person first gets infected with the herpes virus, the virus does not leave the body. It may or may not cause symptoms. Sometimes a herpes virus becomes active later on and causes an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outbreak<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Some people experience outbreaks when they are menstruating, stressed, or their skin is exposed to the sun.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"herpes-prevention\"><b>Herpes prevention<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some ways to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealth.gov\/a-z-topics\/genital-herpes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower the risk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital herpes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using condoms when engaging in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexual activity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limiting the number of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexual partners<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting tested for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STIs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding douching, as it can cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s best to avoid having sex if someone is experiencing an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outbreak<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as condoms may not cover all <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">herpes sores<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare providers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help people recognize symptoms when a flare-up is about to occur, such as burning, itching, and tingling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People should wash their hands with soap and water after touching a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">herpes sore<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This helps reduce the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plannedparenthood.org\/learn\/stds-hiv-safer-sex\/herpes\/how-is-herpes-prevented\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">risk of transmission<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to others or other body areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid close contact, including kissing, with others, including children, if you have a cold sore. Most children are exposed to HSV-1 at a young age. And if you are pregnant, let your healthcare provider know if you have a history of genital herpes to decrease the risk of transmission during delivery.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"treating-herpes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treating herpes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Herpes is not curable, but <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antiviral medications<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/acyclovir-sodium\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">acyclovir<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/famciclovir\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">famciclovir<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/valacyclovir-hcl\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">valacyclovir,<\/span> <\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can help shorten or control <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outbreaks<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Acyclovir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: An oral medication that reduces symptom severity and prevents new <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">herpes sores<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from developing. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare providers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may suggest taking it up to five times per day, and they may prescribe its liquid form if someone has trouble swallowing pills.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Famciclovir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Available as a tablet and can be a good treatment option for people <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">who<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have HIV and have developed herpes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Valacyclovir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A tablet that treats <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cold sores<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> around the mouth and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genital herpes<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outbreaks<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It also helps reduce the number of future episodes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes creams can help relieve itching, burning, and tingling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<div id=\"coupon-cta\" class=\"coupon-cta master-template\">\n\t\t\t<p id=\"headline\">Save up to 80% on Valacyclovir with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p id=\"subheadline\">Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"details-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"details\">\n\t\t\t\t\tValacyclovir 500 mg (30 Tablet)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"address\">\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"api-response\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"coupon\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"logo\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.singlecare.com\/content\/images\/pharmacy\/logo-color-kroger.svg\" alt=\"Kroger Pharmacy\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"price\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-number\">\n\t\t\t\t\t$11.14<br\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-signup\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"info-icon\">i<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with <a href=\"#\">signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"couponbtn\">\n\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\">Get free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"coupon\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"logo\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.singlecare.com\/content\/images\/pharmacy\/logo-color-harristeeter.svg\" alt=\"Harris Teeter Pharmacy\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"price\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-number\">\n\t\t\t\t\t$11.14<br\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-signup\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"info-icon\">i<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with <a href=\"#\">signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"couponbtn\">\n\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\">Get free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" class=\"coupon-see-all-btn\">See Valacyclovir prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home remedies may also help ease the symptoms of a herpes outbreak:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cold compresses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhs.wisc.edu\/medical\/cold-sores\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cold compress<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or ice to the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes every hour can help reduce swelling and tingling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Honey<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical-grade honey, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bmjopen.bmj.com\/content\/9\/5\/e026201\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">kanuka honey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, may help sores heal faster.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Garlic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0924224420305641\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antiviral properties<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that may help <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/garlic-benefits\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prevent<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">viral infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by blocking viral entry or replication within cells. However, using raw garlic on the skin can cause burns.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash your hands after <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/a-z\/herpes-simplex-self-care\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">applying<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> any topical product, or use a cotton swab.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Herpes is a virus that can spread through kissing, genital contact, and sharing personal objects. It never leaves the body and may or may not cause symptoms. Active flare-ups may result in itching, tingling, burning, and blister-like sores.\u00a0 In this article, we provide information on the prevalence of herpes across different populations. We also look [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133,"featured_media":61460,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4114],"tags":[17777,16413,8670],"coauthors":[20962],"class_list":["post-61458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-mens-health","tag-singlecare-stats","tag-womens-health","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Herpes statistics 2026<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Research estimates that 50-80% of adults in the U.S. have oral herpes, and 1 in 6 people ages 14 to 49 have genital herpes. Get updated herpes statistics here.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/herpes-statistics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Herpes statistics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Research estimates that 50-80% of adults in the U.S. have oral herpes, and 1 in 6 people ages 14 to 49 have genital herpes. Get updated herpes statistics here.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/herpes-statistics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Checkup\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-11-13T14:14:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-27T19:57:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/herpes-statistics.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kristina Iavarone\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@SingleCare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@SingleCare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kristina Iavarone\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/news\\\/herpes-statistics\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/news\\\/herpes-statistics\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Christie Falzone\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5ff7c7bb5ce0c66a6962ecf7c8d7941e\"},\"headline\":\"Herpes statistics\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-13T14:14:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-27T19:57:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/news\\\/herpes-statistics\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1416,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/news\\\/herpes-statistics\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/herpes-statistics.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Men's health\",\"SingleCare stats\",\"Women's health\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/news\\\/herpes-statistics\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/news\\\/herpes-statistics\\\/\",\"name\":\"Herpes statistics 2026\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/news\\\/herpes-statistics\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/news\\\/herpes-statistics\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/herpes-statistics.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-13T14:14:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-27T19:57:20+00:00\",\"description\":\"Research estimates that 50-80% of adults in the U.S. have oral herpes, and 1 in 6 people ages 14 to 49 have genital herpes. 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