03/09/10

UNITED STATES:  Genital Herpes Virus Infects One in Six Americans

A new CDC study finding the US genital herpes infection rate has remained relatively level over a decade "serves as a stark reminder that herpes remains a common and serious health threat," said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the agency's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention.

The report was presented Tuesday at the 2010 National STD Prevention Conference in Atlanta. The 2005-2008 data were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a federal report that draws from medical records and blood tests. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection rates in people ages 14-49 were examined.

HSV-2 prevalence in the United States declined from 17 percent in 1999-2004 to 16.2 percent in 2005-2008 - a decrease so small as to be "not statistically significant," CDC said.

Genital herpes, which can produce painful blisters near the genitals and raise the risk for HIV transmission, infects one in six Americans, CDC said. Women and African Americans are most likely to be infected.

The study found that blacks had a 39.2 percent infection rate, more than three times that of whites. Almost half (48 percent) of African-American women were infected with genital herpes. "We are particularly concerned about persistent high rates of herpes among African-Americans, which is likely contributing to disproportionate rates of HIV in the black community," Fenton noted. Blacks have higher poverty rates and more limited access to health care, including STD treatment, the agency said.

CDC estimates that more than 80 percent of people with HSV-2 are unaware they are infected. Those with the virus can transmit it to sex partners even when they do not show symptoms. People who have herpes symptoms should seek testing, CDC said. Patients should avoid sex during an outbreak and use condoms on a consistent and correct basis with all sex partners. HSV-2 is an incurable infection, though medications can help manage its symptoms and control outbreaks.

To view CDC's media release on the study, visit http://www.cdc.gov/NCHHSTP/newsroom/hsv2pressrelease.html

Source: BusinessWeek:: Tom Randall, Bloomberg News; Courtesy of the CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention