The US health officials have reported that 16% people in the country are being affected by Herpes simplex virus type 2, these days, which has become the most common form of sexually transmitted diseases.

As per an analysis conducted by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women are as prone as men, to the disease.

CDS reported that 21% of women and 11.5% men are affected by herpes.

The disease causes genital sores and has no cure till date. It also adds to the chances of developing AIDS in a patient.

Among the herpes-prevention drugs, acyclovir and valacyclovir are the most accepted ones.

"The message is herpes is quite common. The symptoms can be often very innocuous", said Dr. John Douglas from CDC.

"Because herpes is so prevalent it becomes ... a really important reason to use condoms on a consistent and correct basis with all of your partners", he added.

He also said that there is an increase in the number of blacks getting affected by the disease and the reasons are biological factors which add to the susceptibility in black women.

As per the estimations made by CDS, more than 19 million people fall victims of sexually transmitted diseases, every year in U. S., coming at a cost of $16 billion.