The “CDC estimates that there are more than 19.7 million new STIs (STDs) in the United States each year”  – CDC Fact Sheet

A study noted that some of these new STIs are prevalent, which means that they do not go away by themselves, they last for a lifetime. (1)

The same study noted that “Young people (ages 15-24) are particularly affected, accounting for half (50 percent) of all new STIs, although they represent just 25 percent of the sexually experienced population.” (1) An Italian study, published in 2012, explains the reasons for the high rates of STDs among young people. “Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing worldwide, mostly due to changing sexual behaviors (larger numbers of sexual partners, concurrent relationships, increasing proportion of adolescents engaging in sexual intercourse at young age, and inconsistent condom use with new partners)”. (Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia) (2)

This has a direct bearing on genital herpes rates across the United States.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases published a paper in 2002 which warned that the rates of genital herpes infection increases with age. This means the older a person gets, the more likely it is he or she is infected.

“Overall HSV-2 prevalence in females and males was 26% and 18%, respectively, and consistently increased with age from the mid-teens to about age 35. Prevalence among black Americans was more than double that of whites and about twice that of Mexican Americans. In black Americans, HSV-2 prevalence increased even more sharply with age, reaching >50% in those 30–39 years and >70% in those 60.” (3)

The bottom line is that individuals may need to modify their sexual behavior, and new and more effective treatments and remedies need to be developed.