Q&A

Is HSV-2 common in India?

Is HSV-2 common in India?

Having the largest youth population, India is at a higher risk of being infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) as youths are open to sexual experiments, said Dr J Sridhar who is currently researching on the vaccine for herpes. Dr Sridhar, in his research, found around 7- 14 % adolescents in India suffer from HSV.

Where is HSV-2 most common?

HSV-2 infection is more common among women than among men; the percentages of those infected during 2015-2016 were 15.9% versus 8.2% respectively, among 14 to 49 year olds. This is possibly because genital infection is more easily transmitted from men to women than from women to men during penile-vaginal sex.

What population is most at risk for developing HSV-2?

HSV-2 prevalence was significantly higher among women (81.3%, 95% CI: 73.8–87.3) than men (53.6%, 95% CI: 48.8–58.3) and significantly higher among non-Hispanic blacks (77.1%, 95% CI: 70.0–83.1) than non-Hispanic whites (52.3%, 95% CI: 46.9–57.7).

Is having HSV-2 a big deal?

This points to the medical reality of genital herpes: It is, for the vast majority of people, no big deal. Along with the 11.9 percent with HSV-2, 47.8 percent of Americans in the 14-to-49 age range carry HSV-1, or “oral herpes,” which generally causes cold sores around the mouth but can also cause genital herpes.

How many people in India have HSV?

Those with both HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies are estimated at 13.3% of the population. Indian men are more likely to be infected with HSV-2 than women, and increasing seroprevalence of this virus is associated with an increasing age.

Can HSV-2 antibodies go away?

It may take between six and eight weeks to detect antibodies in a herpes blood test after first becoming infected with HSV. Also, antibodies may disappear with time, especially if the person has infrequent recurrences of herpes.

Can you have HSV-2 and never have an outbreak?

Yes. Even when no sores are present, the herpes virus is still active in the body and can spread to others. If you or your partner has herpes, reduce the risk of spread by: using a condom every time you have sex (vaginal, oral, or anal).

What does it mean if your HSV IgG is high?

A positive result means that the patient has an HSV infection. The patient may be experiencing an initial outbreak or a recurrent outbreak from a past infection.

Can HSV 2 lay dormant for years?

The herpes virus can lie dormant in the body for years before people experience any symptoms. After people have the first outbreak of herpes, the virus then lies dormant in the nervous system. Any further outbreaks are due to the virus reactivating, which causes symptoms to appear.

Can I kiss my baby if I have hsv2?

A baby is most at risk of getting a herpes infection in the first 4 weeks after birth. You should not kiss a baby if you have a cold sore to reduce the risk of spreading infection. Cold sores and other blisters caused by the herpes virus are at their most contagious when they burst.

Who is more likely to have HSV 1 or 2?

Prevalence of both viruses was higher among females than males and increased linearly with age. Differences by race and Hispanic origin were different for the two viruses, with Mexican-American persons having the highest prevalence of HSV-1 (71.7%) and non-Hispanic black persons having the highest prevalence of HSV-2 (34.6%).

When did the prevalence of HSV-1 decrease?

Prevalence of HSV-1 decreased over time from 1999–2000 to 2015–2016. Age-adjusted prevalence of HSV-1 decreased linearly over time by 11.3 percentage points, from 59.4 % in 1999–2000Figure 2).

What’s the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1?

During 2015–2016, prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was 47.8%, and prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was 11.9%. Prevalence of both HSV-1 and HSV-2 increased with age. Prevalence of both HSV-1 and HSV-2 was higher among females than males.

How is herpes simplex virus treated in India?

Encephalitis: Encephalitis is a condition where the brain becomes inflamed and swollen. This can be very serious and it can cause brain damage and even death. In very rare cases, encephalitis can be caused by the virus spreading to the brain. It can be treated with intravenous injections of antiviral medications, such as acyclovir.