Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in Children in the United States

Objectives

To describe HSV-1 seroprevalence in children in the United States and to examine factors associated with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in children.

Study design

Sera samples available from 2989 children age 6 to 13 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1999-2002 were tested for HSV-1 antibodies using a type-specific immunodot assay. HSV-1 seroprevalence in children age 12 to 13 years was compared with that reported in an earlier survey (NHANES 1988-1994).

Results

Overall, HSV-1 seroprevalence in children age 6 to 13 years was 31.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 28.6% to 33.9%). Seroprevalence increased with age, from 26.3% in 6- to 7-year-olds to 36.1% in 12-to 13-year-olds, and varied by race/ethnicity, birthplace, and poverty level. Among US-born children age 12 to 13 years, the point estimate of HSV-1 seroprevalence was lower in NHANES 1999-2002 than in NHANES 1988-1994 (34.3% vs 38.1%), but the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

HSV-1 is a common infection in US children, with more than 25% infected by age 7. Race/ethnicity, birthplace, and poverty level are predictors for HSV-1 infection in children.

CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CI, Confidence interval, HSV, Herpes simplex virus, NCHS, National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, WBA, Western blot analysis