One in 7 Canadians has genital herpes: StatsCan study. As many as one in seven Canadians aged 14 to 59 may be infected with herpes simplex type 2 virus and more than 90 per cent of them may be unaware of their status, a new study suggests.

How common are herpes in Canada?

Genital herpes is a common condition. One analysis estimates that 14% of people between 14 and 59 years of age in Canada have HSV-2. Genital herpes is a recurrent, chronic infection; however it is a manageable condition.

Is there a blood test for herpes in Canada?

While blood tests for herpes are increasingly available, Canadians have to pay for them. Blood screening at Gamma-Dynacare lab locations in Canada costs $140, and gets patients tested for both HSV-1 and 2 antibodies with a 13-day turnaround time, spokesperson Scott Hickey confirmed.