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The trends in Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence was examined in the US in 1999-2004 compared with 1988-1994. Findings revealed that the decline in HSV-2 suggested that the trajectory of increasing HSV-2 seroprevalence in the US is reversed and decrease in seroprevalence of HSV-1 but increase in the incidence of genital herpes caused by HSV-1.

About 5% of Americans have the C282Y gene mutation for hemochromatosis and 13% have the H63D mutation. This knowledge is necessary to determine whether it is cost-effective to screen people for these mutations. Hemochromatosis is characterized by excessive iron deposition in organs that can damage them.

People who are overweight or obese may have chronic inflammation. This may due to the fact that fat tissue produces interleukin 6, which stimulates inflammation. In a study of 16,616 men and women, 28% had higher than normal blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is produced during inflammation. Compared to people of normal weight, overweight and obese people were more likely to have elevated CRP levels. This was true even in young adults and the results did not change after excluding smokers, or people with inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

Context: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 are common infections worldwide. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the cause of most genital herpes and is almost always sexually transmitted. In contrast, HSV-1 is usually transmitted during childhood via nonsexual contacts. Preexisting HSV-1 antibodies can alleviate clinical manifestations of subsequently acquired HSV-2. Furthermore, HSV-1 has become an important cause of genital herpes in some developed countries.Objective: To examine trends in HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence in the United States in 1999-2004 compared with 1988-1994.Design, Settings, and Participants: Cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys (US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys [NHANES]), were used to compare national seroprevalence estimates from 1999-2004 with those from 1988-1994, and changes in HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence since 1976-1980 were reviewed. Persons aged 14 to 49 years were included in these analyses.Main Outcome Measures: Seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies based on results from type-specific immunodot assays; diagnosis of genital herpes.Results: The overall age-adjusted HSV-2 seroprevalence was 17.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.8%-18.3%) in 1999-2004 and 21.0% (95% CI, 19.1%-23.1%) in 1988-1994, a relative decrease of 19.0% between the 2 surveys (95% CI, -28.6% to -9.5%; P<.001). Decreases in HSV-2 seroprevalence were especially concentrated in persons aged 14 to 19 years between 1988 and 2004. In adolescents aged 17 to 19 years and young adults, the decreases in HSV-2 seroprevalence were significant even after adjusting for changes in sexual behaviors. Among those infected with HSV-2, the percentage who reported having been diagnosed with genital herpes was statistically different (14.3% in 1999-2004 and 9.9% in 1988-1994; P = .02). Seroprevalence of HSV-1 decreased from 62.0% (95% CI, 59.6%-64.6%) in 1988-1994 to 57.7% (95% CI, 55.9%-59.5%) in 1999-2004, a relative decrease of 6.9% between the 2 surveys (95% CI, -11.6% to -2.3%; P = .006). Among persons infected with HSV-1 but not with HSV-2, a higher percentage reported having been diagnosed with genital herpes in 1999-2004 compared with 1988-1994 (1.8% vs 0.4%, respectively; P<.001).Conclusions: These data show declines in HSV-2 seroprevalence, suggesting that the trajectory of increasing HSV-2 seroprevalence in the United States has been reversed. Seroprevalence of HSV-1 decreased but the incidence of genital herpes caused by HSV-1 may be increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]