HSV prevalence in the Australian population
AHMF Board members Prof Anthony Cunningham and Prof Adrian Mindel are contributing authors in the first representative, nationwide, population based survey of HSV-1 and 2 seroprevalence undertaken in Australia.
What's known?
- Infections caused by herpes simplex viruses (HSV) types 1 and 2 are among the commonest human viral infections throughout the world.
- HSV-2 infection is of public health importance as it is one of the commonest causes of genital ulceration and also implicated as an important co-factor for HIV transmission.
- With potential availability of HSV vaccines, a clear understanding of the epidemiology of HSV types 1 and 2 is essential.
What’s New?
- AHMF Board members Prof Anthony Cunningham and Prof Adrian Mindel are contributing authors in a landmark study, which examined blood specimens from thousands of Australians in many cities and rural centres for antibodies to HSV types 1 and 2.
- This is the first representative, nationwide, population based survey of HSV 1 and 2 seroprevalence undertaken outside the United States.
- 12 per cent of Australian adults are infected with HSV-2, and 76 per cent are infected with HSV-1.
- Australian women are twice as likely to carry the HSV-2 virus compared with men.
- People in rural areas are less likely to carry HSV-2.
- Indigenous people are more likely to carry HSV-2.
- This study confirms that Australia has a relatively low HSV-2 seroprevalence compared with most other countries.
