Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 in a Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic in Miami

Authors

Maya Morrison-Bryant
Maria Alcaide
Khaled Deeb
Jose G. Castro

Publication Date

February 2011

Abstract

The Prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 among STD clinics in Miami is not known. The objective of this study was to evaluate infection rates of HSV 1 and 2, and to describe the socio-demographic characteristics, sexual orientation and co-infection with HIV and other STIs, in individuals attending a Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) clinic in Miami. A cross-sectional study of 663 patients tested for HSV type-specific serology or herpes culture during the year 2007 was performed. An overall infection rate of HSV-1 was 42.1% and 36.7% for HSV-2. Statistically higher infection rates for HSV-1and 2 were seen among Hispanics (56.7%, 54.4%) compared to non-Hispanic black (36.80%, 41.70%) and non-Hispanic white patients (6.1%, 3.5%) respectively. Females showed higher HSV-2 infection rates over males, 41.6% vs. 58.4%; p = 0.03. HSV-1 and 2 infection rates were 60.2% and 57.6% among foreign-born individuals, in contrast to 39.8% and 42.4% found among persons born in the United States. Our data shows high infection rates for HSV-1 and 2 in this community, and especially among the Hispanic population. Efforts to decrease acquisition among the Hispanic population should be a focus of future STI prevention programs.

Recommended Citation

Morrison-Bryant, Maya; Alcaide, Maria; Deeb, Khaled; and Castro, Jose G. (2011) "Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 in a Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic in Miami," Florida Public Health Review: Vol. 8, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/fphr/vol8/iss1/2