Balancing Global Health: The Imperative for Genital Herpes Prevention and Treatment Options
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Genital Herpes And The Future Of Gene Editing
Every minute, around the world, someone is infected with genital herpes. This equates to a staggering 42 million new cases annually, and approximately 200 more individuals affected by the time you finish reading this post. According to recent statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO), this startling reality highlights the urgent need for effective prevention measures and innovative treatment options.
Genital herpes is a widespread sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Its manifestation varies from asymptomatic cases, mild symptoms to recurrent genital ulcers. Once contracted, the virus remains dormant or inactive in one’s nerve cells between recurrent outbreaks of ulcers. Unfortunately, there is no cure for genital herpes. HSV belongs to the human Herpesviridae family, consisting of other common DNA viruses such as Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Varicella-Zoster virus. Both known types, HSV-1 and HSV-2, can cause genital warts, although the latter is its leading cause, while HSV-1 typically manifests as cold sores or mouth ulcers in earlier life.
The newly published study conducted by the WHO and collaborating researchers devised a mathematical model to analyze global data on new and existing cases in 2020, updating previous statistics. Researchers found that more than one in five adults aged 15 to 49 years are living with genital herpes worldwide. This overwhelming clinical and psychological burden also yields significant economic costs, as estimated in a recent study, exceeding $35 billion annually.
HSV-2 has been linked to an increased risk of HIV infection. Various antiviral medications exist to alleviate the severity of symptoms and reduce their frequency, while safe sex practices can decrease the risk of transmission. However, no cure has yet been discovered.
This is particularly crucial for individuals with compromised immune systems, where severe complications are far more common.
Source: www.forbes.com
