Decline in HSV-1 Seroprevalence in the U.S.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are common and usually more cosmetically or socially distressing for patients than they are medically dangerous. However, serious complications do occur, and, for pregnant women and neonates, HSV infections can be disastrous. In this study, researchers used stored sera obtained by the National Center for Health Statistics to construct a picture of recent seroprevalence patterns of HSV types 1 and 2 among adolescents and adults (age, 14–49) in the U.S.

Analysis of serum samples collected between 2005 and 2010 indicated that overall HSV-1 seroprevalence was 54% and HSV-2 seroprevalence was 16%. Prevalence of both types was lowest among teens (30% and 1.2%, respectively) and highest among 40- to 49-year-old…