World Health Organisation says two-thirds of world’s population under 50 have highly infectious virus that causes cold sores around mouth GENEVA — Two-thirds of the world’s population under 50 have the highly infectious herpes virus that causes cold sores around the mouth, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday, in its first estimate of global prevalence of the disease.More than 3.7-billion people under the age of 50 suffer from the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), usually after catching it in childhood, according to a the WHO study.That is in addition to 417-million people in the 15-49 age range who have the other form of the disease, HSV-2, which causes genital herpes.HSV-1 normally causes mouth ulcers rather than genital infection, but it is becoming an increasing cause of genital infection too, mainly in rich countries.That is because improved hygiene in rich countries is lowering HSV-1 infection rates in childhood, leaving young people more at risk of catchin...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.