HSV-2 serologic testing in an HMO population: uptake and psychosocial sequelae.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively measure the uptake of Herpes simplex virus Type 2 (HSV-2) testing and psychosocial response to a new serologic diagnosis of HSV-2 in a health maintenance organization (HMO) population.


METHODS
Randomly selected urban HMO enrollees were invited to be tested for HSV-2 antibody at a research clinic. Participants had blood drawn and completed demographic and psychosocial questionnaires.


RESULTS
Of 3111 eligible enrollees contacted, 344 (11%) were tested. Eighty-seven (26%) tested HSV-2 seropositive, and 44 (51%) of these did not report a prior genital herpes diagnosis. Distress, measured by the total mood disturbance, was 6.5 points higher on average following a new genital herpes diagnosis relative to baseline (actual range = 109 points, P = 0.003) but not statistically different from HSV-2 negative or previously diagnosed participants.


CONCLUSIONS
HMO enrollees unexpectedly testing HSV-2 positive showed short-term psychosocial distress that resolved during 6-month follow-up. Findings suggest that concerns about psychosocial burden should not deter voluntary serologic HSV-2 testing in primary care settings.
Richards
Julie
J
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Scholes
Delia
D
Caka
Selin
S
Drolette
Linda
L
Magaret
Amalia Meier
AM
Yarbro
Patty
P
Lafferty
William
W
Crosby
Richard
R
Diclemente
Ralph
R
Wald
Anna
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral