Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection: a sexually transmitted infection of adolescence?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the factors associated with antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).


METHODS
Cross sectional study with HSV-1 antibody testing performed by University of Washington western blot assay.


METHODS
Central London STD clinic (1990-1) and central London blood donation centre (1992).


METHODS
Representative sample of 869 new and rebooked GUM clinic attenders and 1494 consecutive blood donors.


RESULTS
The prevalence of HSV-1 antibody among clinic attenders was 60.4% (95% CI 57.0 to 63.7) and among donors was 46.1% (95% CI 43.5 to 48.7). HSV-1 antibody was independently associated with increasing age in both populations (p<0.001). Among clinic attenders, HSV-1 was less common among heterosexual men than women and homosexual men (p<0.005), and was more common among black people (p=0.001) and those of lower socioeconomic status (p=0.05). Among blood donors, being single rather than married was independently associated with HSV-1 infection (p=0.03). Early age at first intercourse was strongly associated with presence of HSV-1 in both populations. The adjusted odds of HSV-1 among GUM clinic attenders was 0.37 (95% CI 0.21 to 0.65) for someone aged 20 at first intercourse compared with someone aged <or=15. Among blood donors, those aged 20 had an adjusted odds of 0.64 (95% CI 0.39 to 1.05) compared with someone aged 15. HSV-1 was not associated with increasing number of lifetime partners after adjustment for other factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Genital herpes due to HSV-1 antibody is increasing in the United Kingdom, particularly among young people. In this study we found that HSV-1 was strongly associated with early age of first sexual intercourse, which may reflect the sexual practices of people initiating sex in this age group.
Cowan
F M
FM
Department of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London, UK. frances@uz-ucsf.co.zw
Copas
A
A
Johnson
A M
AM
Ashley
R
R
Corey
L
L
Mindel
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000276:immunology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior
D000914:Antibodies, Viral