Incidence and Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection in Persons Seeking Repeat HIV Counseling and Testing

In Brief Background Voluntary HIV testing sites provide an opportunity to identify and counsel persons with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, thereby enhancing the prevention of HSV-2 and HIV infections. Goal and Study Design Using serologic specimens left over from HIV testing, we measured HSV-2 prevalence and incidence among persons who had repeatedly tested for HIV at anonymous counseling and testing sites in San Francisco during the period October 1997 through March 2000. Results The prevalence of HSV-2 infection was 23.5% (n = 987) overall, 28.7% among women, and 24.1% among men who have sex with men (MSM). In relation to race/ethnicity, HSV-2 prevalence was highest among African Americans (34.4%). The incidence of HSV-2 infection (n = 457 person-years [PY] of follow-up) was 2.6 per 100 PY overall and 3.1 per 100 PY among MSM. All but one of the HSV-2 seroconversions occurred among MSM. In multivariate subanalysis of MSM, a self-reported sexually transmitted disease (hazards ratio [HR], 4.3; 95% CI, 1.2–16.1) and HIV seroconversion (HR, 19.4; 95% CI 3.8–99.9) during the interval between tests were correlated with HSV-2 incident infection. Conclusion Offering HSV-2 serologic counseling and testing at HIV counseling and testing sites might help prevent the spread of both infectious diseases. A study of persons repeatedly seeking voluntary HIV counseling and testing measured the prevalence and incidence of herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2). Offering HSV-2 serologic testing at HIV counseling and testing sites might help prevent the spread of both infectious diseases.