title: HSV-2 serologic testing in an HMO population: uptake and psychosocial sequelae.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scholes
authors.forename: Selin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caka
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Drolette
authors.forename: Amalia Meier
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Magaret
authors.forename: Patty
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yarbro
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lafferty
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crosby
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diclemente
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wald
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral