Some 3.7 billion people have herpes in one form or another. Says who? The World Health Organization, that's WHO! WHO says 2/3 of people under 50 have herpes, reported UPI Oct. 30. And over a half billion have sexually transmitted herpes genital herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) STD.2/3 of people have herpes: Half billion have HSV-2 STD, HSV-1 from oral sex | Examiner.com