Understanding the effects of herpes simplex virus

Key facts

An estimated 3,7 billion people under age 50 (67%) globally have herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, the main cause of oral herpes.

An estimated 491 million people aged 15 to 49 (13%) worldwide have herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, the main cause of genital herpes.

Most HSV infections are asymptomatic or unrecognised, but symptoms of herpes include painful blisters or ulcers that can recur over time.

Infection with HSV-2 increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV infection.

Overview

The herpes simplex virus (HSV), known as herpes, is a common infection that can cause painful blisters or ulcers. It primarily spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable, but not curable.

There are two types of herpes simplex virus.

Type 1 (HSV-1) mostly spreads by oral contact and causes infections in or around the mouth (oral herpes or cold sores). It can also cause genital herpes. Most adults are infected with HSV-1.

Type 2 (HSV-2) spreads by sexual contact and causes genital herpes.

Most people have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. The infection can cause painful blisters or ulcers that can recur over time. Medicines can reduce symptoms, but can’t cure the infection.

Recurrent symptoms of both oral and genital herpes may be distressing. Genital herpes may also be stigmatising and have an impact on sexual relationships. However, in time, most people with either kind of herpes adjust to living with the infection.

Symptoms

Most people with herpes have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Many people aren’t aware they have the infection and can pass along the virus to others without knowing it.

Symptoms can include painful, recurring blisters or ulcers. New infections may cause fever, body aches and swollen lymph nodes.

Symptoms may be different during the first episode (or ‘outbreak’) of infection than during a recurrent episode. If symptoms occur, they often begin with tingling, itching or burning near where the sores will appear.

Common oral herpes symptoms include blisters (cold sores) or open sores (ulcers) in or around the mouth or lips.

Common genital herpes symptoms include bumps, blisters, or open sores (ulcers) around the genitals or anus.

These sores and blisters are typically painful. Blisters may break open, ooze and then crust over.

During their first infection, people may experience:

Fever

Body aches

Sore throat (oral herpes)

Headache

Swollen lymph nodes near the infection.

People can have repeated outbreaks over time (‘recurrences’). These are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak.

Treatment

Medicines are often used to treat first or recurrent episodes of herpes. They can decrease how long symptoms last and how severe they are, but they can’t cure the infection.

Treatment for recurrent episodes is most effective when started within 48 hours of when symptoms begin.

Antiviral medicines commonly given include acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir.

Taking a lower daily dose of one of these medicines can also decrease how often symptoms occur (‘outbreaks’).

Treatment is often recommended for people who get very painful or frequent recurrent episodes or who want to lower the risk of giving herpes to someone else.

Medicines to help with pain related to sores include paracetamol (acetaminophen), naproxen or ibuprofen. Medicines that can be applied to numb the affected area include benzocaine and lidocaine.

Herpes simplex virus lives inside of nerve cells and alternates between being inactive and active. Certain triggers can make the virus active, including:

Illness or fever

Sun exposure

Menstrual period

Injury

Emotional stress

Surgery.

For people whose oral herpes is activated by sunlight, avoiding sun exposure and wearing sunscreen can lower the risk of recurrences.

To decrease symptoms of oral herpes, people can:

Drink cold drinks or suck on popsicles

Use over-the-counter pain medicines.

For genital herpes, people can:

Sit in a warm bath for 20 minutes (without soap)

Wear loose fitting clothes

Use over-the-counter pain medicines.

There are ways to lower the risk of spreading herpes including:

Talk to your partner about having herpes

Don’t have sex if you have symptoms and always wear a condom

Don’t share items that touched saliva (oral herpes).

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, because there is a risk of passing herpes to your baby.

Scope of the problem

In 2016 (last available estimates), 3,7 billion people under the age of 50, or 67% of the global population, had HSV-1 infection (oral or genital). Most HSV-1 infections are acquired during childhood.

Genital herpes caused by HSV-2 affects an estimated 491 million (13%) people aged 15 to 49 years worldwide (2016 data). HSV-2 infects women almost twice as often as men because sexual transmission is more efficient from men to women. Prevalence increases with age, though the highest number of new infections are in adolescents.

Transmission

HSV-1 is mainly transmitted via contact with the virus in sores, saliva or surfaces in or around the mouth. Less commonly, HSV-1 can be transmitted to the genital area through oral-genital contact to cause genital herpes. It can be transmitted from oral or skin surfaces that appear normal; however, the greatest risk of transmission is when there are active sores. People who already have HSV-1 are not at risk of reinfection, but they are still at risk of acquiring HSV-2.

HSV-2 is mainly transmitted during sex through contact with genital or anal surfaces, skin, sores or fluids of someone infected with the virus. HSV-2 can be transmitted even if the skin looks normal and is often transmitted in the absence of symptoms.

In rare circumstances, herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) can be transmitted from mother to child during delivery, causing neonatal herpes.

Possible complications

HSV-2 and HIV infection

HSV-2 infection increases the risk of acquiring HIV infection by approximately three-fold. Additionally, people with both HIV and HSV-2 infection are more likely to spread HIV to others. HSV-2 infection is among the most common infections in people living with HIV.

Severe disease
In immunocompromised people, including those with advanced HIV infection, herpes can have more severe symptoms and more frequent recurrences. Rare complications of HSV-2 include meningoencephalitis (brain infection) and disseminated infection. Rarely, HSV-1 infection can lead to more severe complications such as encephalitis (brain infection) or keratitis (eye infection).

Neonatal herpes
Neonatal herpes can occur when an infant is exposed to HSV during delivery. Neonatal herpes is rare, occurring in an estimated 10 out of every 100 000 births globally. However, it is a serious condition that can lead to lasting neurologic disability or death. The risk for neonatal herpes is greatest when a mother acquires HSV for the first time in late pregnancy.

Prevention

People with symptoms of oral herpes should avoid oral contact with others (including oral sex) and sharing objects that touched saliva. Individuals with symptoms of genital herpes should abstain from sexual activity while experiencing symptoms. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are most contagious when sores are present but can also be transmitted when no symptoms are felt or visible.

For sexually active people, consistent and correct use of condoms is the best way to prevent genital herpes and other STIs. Condoms reduce the risk; however, HSV infection can still occur through contact with genital or anal areas not covered by the condom. Medical male circumcision can provide life-long partial protection against HSV-2 infection, as well as against HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV).

People with symptoms suggestive of genital herpes should be offered HIV testing.

Pregnant women with symptoms of genital herpes should inform their health care providers. Preventing acquisition of HSV-2 infection is particularly important for women in late pregnancy when the risk for neonatal herpes is greatest.

WHO response

WHO is working to increase awareness about HSV infection and its symptoms, improve access to antiviral medications and promote HIV prevention efforts for those with genital herpes, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

WHO and partners are also supporting research to develop new strategies for prevention and control of HSV infections, such as vaccines and topical microbicides.

– World Health Organisation

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