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How Common Is HSV-2 Worldwide?
How common is HSV-2? WHO estimates 520 million people aged 15 to 49, or 13% of that group, have HSV-2. It is a common infection, and many carriers have mild symptoms or none. It has no cure. Prescribed antivirals are the proven care, and Reviralis is not an antiviral.
Written by the Reviralis label deskUpdated · 4 min read
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How many people have HSV-2?
WHO estimates 520 million people aged 15 to 49 have HSV-2, about 13% of that age group (WHO, Herpes Simplex Virus Fact Sheet).
That is a global estimate of infection. It counts people who carry the virus, with or without visible sores. HSV-2 is mostly passed through sexual contact (CDC, About Genital Herpes).
Roughly one in eight people in that age band is a large group, and none of them is defined by the number.
Side by side02
How does HSV-2 compare with HSV-1 in the numbers?
HSV-1 is far more widespread, but the two figures use different age groups.
| HSV-1 | HSV-2 | |
|---|---|---|
| People estimated | 3.8 billion | 520 million |
| Age group | Under 50 | 15 to 49 |
| Share of that group | 64% | 13% |
Do not subtract one from the other. The age groups differ, and some people carry both types. The HSV-1 statistics post reads the first column.
Spread and protection03
How is HSV-2 passed on, and what lowers the risk?
Mainly through sexual contact, including when no sore is visible (CDC, About Genital Herpes).
Condoms lower the risk but do not remove it (CDC, About Genital Herpes). For people with frequent recurrences, daily suppressive antivirals cut recurrences by 70 to 80 percent, and daily suppression also lowers the chance of passing HSV-2 to a partner (CDC, STI Treatment Guidelines: Herpes). These are clinician decisions, and partners can talk with a clinician too.
The antivirals and clinician care page explains the options in plain words.
Reviralis: from $49 a bottle60 capsules a bottle · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 and 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
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Is there a cure or a supplement for HSV-2?
No cure exists, and no supplement is shown to do what antivirals do (WHO, Herpes Simplex Virus Fact Sheet).
Regulators have acted on products sold for sexually transmitted infections, and FDA and FTC say no over-the-counter or online supplement can treat or prevent them (HIV.gov, FDA and FTC Act on Fraudulent HIV and STD Products). That is why this site says plainly what the label does and does not do.
Reviralis Complete is a dietary supplement. It is not an antiviral and not a treatment, and its label never mentions herpes. If a clinician prescribed an antiviral, keep taking it.
Tell a clinician if you are pregnant, since passing herpes to a newborn is serious.
FAQ05
Reviralis questions people ask
What percent of people have HSV-2?
WHO estimates 13% of people aged 15 to 49, about 520 million, have HSV-2. That is a global estimate of infection, not of outbreaks. Rates differ by region and by person, and the figure cannot describe any one individual.
Is HSV-2 only found in the genital area?
HSV-2 is mostly linked with the genital area, though either type can cause sores at either site. A clinician can tell which type you have with testing. See the post on oral versus genital herpes for the details.
Can you have HSV-2 without knowing?
Yes, many people have mild symptoms or none, so they may not know. The virus can still pass to a partner when no sore is visible. Testing through a clinician is the only way to find out.
Does a daily antiviral plan help with HSV-2?
For people with frequent recurrences, CDC reports that daily suppression cuts recurrences 70 to 80 percent and lowers partner transmission. A clinician decides whether it fits. Do not start, stop or swap it for a supplement.
Who wrote this06
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the order page and linked NIH, FDA, FTC, Mayo Clinic and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a USA Authorized Reviralis Retailer. It is not the manufacturer or the distributor named on the label. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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