How common is Genital Herpes?

I never really hear of it, and recently a friend of mine told me she has it. She claims that 2/4 people have it, is this true? I am probably too naive when it comes to these.

According to the literature one in five people have herpes type 2 (genital herpes-which can also infect the mouth) (aka:Herpes Symplex Virus). Women are more commonly infected than men. In the US, 1 out of 4 women are infected. You can have an outbreak and not have symptoms (sores) and can infect others when you are not having symptoms. 90% of the 50 million Americans who have genital herpes don't even realize they are infected and may unknowingly infect others. It is NOT Chicken Pox!!! Source(s): www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/s...
www.famvir.com

isnt it like chicken pox? i was exposed to it when i was younger. you werent?
I believe it's very common but with current treatments you can get close to 100% reduction in symptoms and it's spreadability.

Loads of companies are developing drugs to cure the illness, i would say we would have a cure in 5-10 years if not sooner.