HSV-1 Infection More Common Than HSV-2 — and Now Often Genital

In a prospective study involving HSV-seronegative women, incidence of HSV-1 infection was more than double that of HSV-2 infection; most symptomatic HSV-1 infections were genital.

Infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is common and is thought to be acquired early in childhood through exposure to oral secretions. However, sexual transmission — previously associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) — has been increasing. To further examine the epidemiology of HSV infections, researchers prospectively followed healthy women aged 18 to 30 who were seronegative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. The study was conducted between 2003 and 2007 and was partially funded by industry.

Of the 3438 participants, 183 (5.3%) became infected with HSV during 20 months of follow-up — 127 (3.7%) with HSV-1 and 56 (1.6%) with HSV-2. The rate of infection per 100 person-years was 2.5 cases for HSV-1 compared with 1.1 cases for …

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

HSV-1 Infection More Common Than HSV-2 — and Now Often Genital

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Reviewing Author