Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Type 2 Among Persons Aged 14-49 Years--United States, 2005-2008

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed serologic test results from persons aged 14-49 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2008, to determine whether HSV-2 seroprevalence in the United States has changed since 1999-2004. CDC also used the data to estimate HSV-2 seroprevalence by age, race/ethnicity, and reported lifetime number of sex partners. Results indicated that HSV-2 seroprevalence was 16.2 percent overall, not statistically different from that of 1999-2004, and was highest among women and non-Hispanic blacks.