HSV, the Incurable Sexually Transmitted Disease half of the world has contracted

FIJ

There are about 8 billion people living on the planet and over 4 billion people are living with the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

HSV causes a viral disease which sometimes comes with episodes of painful symptoms.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO)’s fact sheet, “an estimated 3.7 billion people under age 50 (67%) have HSV-1 infection globally… 491 million people aged 15–49 (13%) worldwide have HSV-2 infection.”

HSV currently has no cure and raises the risks of acquiring other infections such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

WHAT IS HSV?

HSV is a very common infection causing contagious sores affecting the genitals and parts of the mouth or hands. While HSV type 1 (HSV-1) affects the mouth, HSV type 2 (HSV-2) typically affects the genitals.

An unaffected person can contract HSV through physical contact with the affected areas on an infected person’s body.

HSV can cause painful blisters at the site of infection, but not every infected person exhibits these symptoms. In some patients, the symptoms surface periodically.

Some infected persons don’t suffer symptoms, so they may not know that they have been infected.

SIGNS AFTER INFECTION

Although many people do not have obvious signs, the usual signs of HSV infection are blisters and sores forming at the infected location.

According to WHO, many infected persons could experience a tingling, itching or burning sensation around their mouth before the sores and blisters emerge.

“Genital herpes can be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that go unrecognized. When symptoms occur, genital herpes is characterised by one or more genital or anal blisters or ulcers. Additionally, symptoms of a new infection often include fever, body aches and swollen lymph nodes,” the WHO fact sheet states.

“After an initial episode, which can be severe, symptoms may recur. Genital herpes caused by HSV-1 typically does not recur frequently. With HSV-2, recurrent symptoms are common. However, recurrences are often less severe than the first episode and tend to decrease over time.”

RISK OF INFECTION