Genital Herpes Increases Among Young American Women
March 14, 2025 - 49% of American women aged 15 to 39 have got genital herpes. The transmission rate is now 32 infections per 1,000 women, compared to 25 infections per 1,000 women 25 years ago. For men the rate is up from 19 to 26 cases per 1,000 during the same period. HSV infection is more common in women than men, most likely because it is more easily transmitted from men to women.
The figures refer to the HSV-2, herpes simplex virus type 2, which commonly causes genital herpes. Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected. Most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection.
Genital herpes can cause recurrent painful genital sores in many adults, and herpes infection can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems. Regardless of severity of symptoms, genital herpes frequently causes psychological distress in people who know they are infected.
Researchers forecast that a plateau in the prevalence of HSV-2 infection will be reached during the second half of this century.
Argument: According to the report Projection of the Future Dimensions and Costs of the Genital Herpes Simplex Type 2 Epidemic in the United States genital herpes will increase among young American women until year 2025.
Questions: Will there be new ways to treat herpes in the future?
By Pontus Edenberg
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