What is the most wide spread infection in the world, affecting two-thirds of the population? In the United States, over 60's rate of infection is 50%, while it's 20% in the under 40's.

great2beme

I would say West Nile Jul 06 07, 9:58 AM

queproblema

Perhaps herpes. I'm having trouble finding worldwide rates. http://www.herpes.com/ Jul 06 07, 10:28 AM

temujin2020

Ummm, West Nile is an exotic disease that has claimed relatively few victims in the U.S. It's wrecked havoc on some bird populations though, sadly. You may indeed be referring to herpes, as queproblema suggests. The site that he cites estimates that 50% to 80% of the adult U.S. population is infected with one form or another. 20%, or over 50 million having genital herpes alone. As there is no known cure for herpes, it may well be found at a higher rate in older populations, as they have had more years in which they could have been exposed. So I guess there is something to be said for being a socially inept book worm & trivia fanatic. Not that I would know about that ! ;-) Jul 06 07, 10:47 AM

deadlydalton

Not herpes.This infection has a cure. Jul 06 07, 10:52 AM

rxbigdawg

Pneumonia? As people age the odds of spending time in a hospital greatly increases their chances getting pneumonia especially when their immune systems are low. Younger people also tend to fight pneumonia off better. Just a guess. Jul 06 07, 4:11 PM

deadlydalton

It's a gastic bacteria,I had it for 13years, was treated for an ulcer with zantac,losec and tagamet. Never felt so much pain in my life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori Jul 06 07, 8:26 PM

Arpeggionist

The Guinness book says it's actually gingivitis (a tooth infection). Jul 07 07, 12:25 PM