Epidemiology

Background and Burden of Disease

Genital herpes is a chronic, life-long viral infection. Two serotypes of herpes simplex virus (HSV) have been identified: HSV-1 and HSV-2. The majority of cases of recurrent genital herpes in the U.S. are caused by HSV-2; although HSV-1 is becoming a more common cause of first episode genital herpes. HSV-1 is usually associated with oral lesions (i.e., cold sores).

At least 50 million persons in the United States have genital HSV infection, and it is estimated that 1.6 million new cases occur each year. Most persons infected with HSV-2 have not been diagnosed.

In the general U.S. population17% of adults aged 14-49 years have HSV-2 antibodies. HSV-2 antibodies are not routinely detected until puberty, and then HSV-2 seroprevalence increases with age. HSV-2 seroprevalence is higher in women than men in all age groups and varies by race/ethnicity.

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