title: Serologic screening for herpes simplex virus among university students: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors examined the feasibility of conducting serologic testing for the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) among university students and assessed the psychosocial impact of an HSV-2 diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors recruited a convenience sample of 100 students (aged 18-39 years) without a history of genital herpes from 1 university between September 2004 and March 2006. Participants received HSV-2 antibody testing by Focus ELISA and Western Blot assays and completed a questionnaire that addressed psychological functioning. Twenty-eight participants completed the questionnaire again at a 3-month follow-up visit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study revealed (1) low test-reliability in the student population, (2) that positive test results may cause a decline in psychological well-being, and (3) that substantial resources are required to support students with positive HSV-2 results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Test performance, psychological impact, and availability of resources for counseling students with positive diagnoses should be considered before implementing HSV testing programs.
authors.affiliation: The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. hmark1@son.jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Hayley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mark
authors.forename: Joy P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Nanda
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joffe
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rompalo
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melendez
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zenilman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018139:Simplexvirus; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult