Changes in susceptibility of pre-adolescents to herpes simplex viruses

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Infection to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was once an inevitable event before young adulthood in the United States. Xu et al, in this issue of The Journal, report seroprevalence of HSV-1 antibodies in children who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 1999-2002 compared with that of 1988-1994. Data show an overall trend of decrease in point estimate of HSV-1 seroprevalence in 12-13 year old individuals from 40.3% to 36.1% over time. Seroprevalence differed by age, race/ethnicity, birthplace, and poverty.

In the accompanying editorial, Gutierrez highlights certain effects of decreasing early primary HSV-1 infection, such as the possible heightened clinical manifestations of primary HSV-1 and HSV-2 genital infection in adolescent and young adults, and the potential effect of genital ulcers on acquisition of HIV infection.