Most people carry herpes
In countries like Italy, almost the entire country (93%) carries HSV-1 (usually oral herpes). But only a tiny percentage of the country knows they carry it and can transmit it. In the USA, 68% carry HSV-1, and in the UK 78% of the population carries it. Most people have no idea they carry herpes, it rarely causes symptoms.

Only 1 in 10 carriers have symptoms
It may be surprising to learn that 90% of people with herpes don’t know they carry it. Unless you have had a very specific test (an IgG), there is no way to know. This test is not included in standard screenings by sexual health clinics.

What about genital herpes?
In the USA, the number of people with HSV-2 (usually genital herpes) is close to 1 in 3 right now. The American Sexual Health Association predict that 50% of Americans will carry it by 2025. However, very few of these people experience any recognisable symptoms. Genital herpes can simply be oral herpes transmitted to the genitals. For most people, whether oral or genital, herpes is invisible.

In the UK, over 25% of the sexually active population carry HSV-2, but again, only a small number of people have been diagnosed. If you’re in either of these two countries, look around you, at least 1 in every 4 people you see carries HSV-2. How’s that for normal? Add HSV-1 to the mix and you are unlikely to meet anyone without one of the two herpes simplex viruses.

So, I probably carry herpes?
Yes. There is absolutely nothing unusual about having herpes. The only unusual thing is knowing that you have it. The vast majority of most populations carry herpes, most of them don’t know it. Just because someone has symptoms, it doesn’t make them any more of a risk than most other people. Most people who transmit the virus don’t know they carry it. For most people, herpes is invisible and harmless.