The
epidemiology of herpes simplex is of substantial
epidemiologic and
public health interest. Worldwide, the rate of
infection with
herpes simplex virus—counting both HSV-1 and HSV-2—
is around 90%.
[1] Although many people infected with HSV develop labial or genital lesions (
herpes simplex), the majority are either undiagnosed or display no physical symptoms—
individuals with no symptoms are described as asymptomatic or as having subclinical herpes.[2]