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Published on: September 3, 2012
Prevalence and risk factors for infection with herpes simplex virus type-1 and -2 among lesbians
Jeanne M Marrazzo1, Kathleen Stine, Anna Wald
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. jmm2@u.washington.edu
Background And Objectives:
Sexual transmission of bacterial and viral sexually transmitted disease has been reported between women. No data are available on seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and type-2 (HSV-2) among lesbians.
Goal:
The goal was to define prevalence of infection with HSV-1 and HSV-2 among lesbians, and associated risk factors.
Study Design:
Women who reported sex with another woman in the preceding year were eligible. Medical and sexual histories were obtained. Serum was tested for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies using Western Blot assay.
Results:
Among 392 subjects, antibodies to HSV-1 were detected in 46% and to HSV-2 in 8%. Increasing age predicted higher seroprevalence to both HSV types, and HSV-2 seropositivity was associated with a history of male partner with genital herpes. Of 78 women reporting no prior sex with men, 3% were HSV-2-seropositive. Most HSV-2-seropositive subjects (71%) reported no history of genital herpes. HSV-1 seroprevalence increased significantly with an increasing number of female sex partners.
Conclusions:
HSV-2 infection occurs in nearly 1 in 10 lesbians and is not predicted by report of sex with men or sexual identity. Most lesbians infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. Sexual transmission of HSV-1 may occur more frequently among lesbians than among heterosexual women.
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