Genital herpes remains a relatively common infection, with a total of 21,698 new cases diagnosed in GUM clinics in 2006.1

Over the past 10 years the incidence of herpes has increased much more slowly than that of other STIs.1

Herpes is most common in the 20-24 age group and females are more commonly affected than males.1, 2

Genital herpes is normally associated with HSV type 2, but there is an increasing involvement of HSV type 1, more typically associated with oral infection – cold sores. This is particularly the case in women under 25.2