The relationship between condom use and herpes simplex virus acquisition.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have evaluated the relationship between condom use and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and HSV type 1 (HSV-1) acquisition.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between condom use and acquisition of HSV-2 and HSV-1 among men and women.


METHODS
Analysis of data collected as part of a clinical trial of an ineffective candidate vaccine for HSV-2.


METHODS
Sexually transmitted disease clinics.


METHODS
Men and women at risk for HSV-2 acquisition, defined as having 4 or more sexual partners or having a sexually transmitted disease in the past year.


METHODS
Acquisition of HSV-2 and HSV-1 as measured by viral culture or change to positive HSV serostatus.


RESULTS
Of 1843 participants, 118 (6.4%) became infected with HSV-2. In multivariate analyses, participants reporting more frequent use of condoms were at lower risk for acquiring HSV-2 than participants who used condoms less frequently (hazard ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.59 to 0.95]); categories of increasing condom use were 0% to 25%, 25% to 75%, and greater than 75% of sexual acts. Nineteen (2.9%) of 659 participants at risk for infection with HSV-1 became infected. No statistically significant association between condom use and infection with HSV-1 was found (hazard ratio, 0.79 [CI, 0.48 to 1.31]).


CONCLUSIONS
Use of condoms was measured by self-report, and persons who used condoms may have differed from those who did not.


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent use of condoms is associated with lower rates of infection with HSV-2 and should be routinely recommended.
Wald
Anna
A
University of Washington, Virology Research Clinic, Seattle, Washington 98122, USA. annawald@u.washington.edu
Langenberg
Andria G M
AG
Krantz
Elizabeth
E
Douglas
John M
JM
Handsfield
H Hunter
HH
DiCarlo
Richard P
RP
Adimora
Adaora A
AA
Izu
Allen E
AE
Morrow
Rhoda Ashley
RA
Corey
Lawrence
L
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D022301:Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D021841:Safe Sex; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D022301:Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines