Sexually Transmitted Diseases  >  Tracking the Hidden Epidemics 2000 (1999 data)

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A Closer Look at Herpes

BY GENDER

Herpes is more common in women than men, infecting approximately one out of four women, versus one out of five men. This difference in gender may be because male-to-female transmission is more efficient than transmission from females to males.

BY REGION

Herpes is common in all regions of the country and in both urban and rural areas. There are no significant differences in prevalence by geographic location.

BY AGE

The percent of people infected with herpes increases with age because, once infected, people remain infected with this incurable disease throughout their lives. Herpes infection is believed to be acquired most commonly during adolescence and young adulthood, as individuals become sexually active and may have multiple partners.

According to two national surveys between the 1970s and the 1990s, genital herpes increased fastest among white teens ages 12 to 19 years old (Fleming, 1997). Herpes prevalence among white teens ages 12 to 19 years old in the 1990s was five times greater than the prevalence in the 1970s. Among young white adults 20 to 29 years of age, herpes prevalence increased two-fold over that period.

BY RACE/ETHNICITY

Although genital herpes is increasing among young whites, the infection is more common among African Americans, who have a seroprevalence of more than 45 percent, as compared to whites, who have a seroprevalence of approximately 17 per-cent (Fleming, 1997).

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