World Health Organization: Two-thirds of world has Herpes Virus

Two-thirds of the world has herpes.

The alarming figure — just out from the World Health Organization — could make you ponder before you pucker.

 

WHO findings show that 3.7 billion under age 50 are carrying the persistent herpes virus — which can easily spread through kissing.

If there’s any good news, it’s this: in the Americas, rates are lower than the global figure. On this side of the world, 39% of men, and 49% of women, have the virus that causes those painful cold sores on and around the lips as well as genital herpes.

The health agency also reports that oral sex is becoming a leading cause of transmission. Blisters do not have to be visible to be contagious.

The herpes simplex 1 virus, which causes most cold sores, is closely related to herpes simplex 2, which causes the majority of genital herpes. Both of these incurable viruses can affect your mouth or genitals.

Even so, many people who have herpes — oral or genital — don’t know it and never will, says Dr. Pritish Tosh, an infectious disease expert at the Mayo Clinic, which was not involved in the WHO report.

“Most people who’ve been exposed to the virus and carry it are able to keep the virus at bay with their own immunity,” says Tosh. “These people will never develop a sore or a problem from it. Between 10% and 25% who are exposed will actually develop sores.”

It’s the second time this week that the World Health Organization has horrified the planet. Earlier this week, the agency revealed new fears over the cancer-causing potential of bacon and other processed meat.