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Background: Knowledge of the number of persons with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States is critical for public health and policy planning. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of chronic HCV infection between 2003 and 2010 and to identify factors associated with this condition. Design: Nationally representative household survey. Setting: U.S. noninstitutionalized civilian population. Participants: 30 074 NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) participants between 2003 and 2010. Measurements: Interviews to ascertain demographic characteristics and possible risks and exposures for HCV infection. Serum samples from participants aged 6 years or older were tested for antibody to HCV; if results were positive or indeterminate, the samples were tested for HCV RNA, which indicates current chronic infection. Results: Based on 273 participants who tested positive for HCV RNA, the estimated prevalence of HCV infection was 1.0% (95% CI, 0.8% to 1.2%), corresponding to 2.7 million chronically infected persons (CI, 2.2 to 3.2 million persons) in the U.S. noninstitutionalized civilian population. Infected persons were more likely to be aged 40 to 59 years, male, and non-Hispanic black and to have less education and lower family income. Factors significantly associated with chronic HCV infection were illicit drug use (including injection drugs) and receipt of a blood transfusion before 1992; 49% of persons with HCV infection did not report either risk factor. Limitation: Incarcerated and homeless persons were not surveyed. Conclusion: This analysis estimated that approximately 2.7 million U.S. residents in the population sampled by NHANES have chronic HCV infection, about 500 000 fewer than estimated in a similar analysis between 1999 and 2002. These data underscore the urgency of identifying the millions of persons who remain infected and linking them to appropriate care and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are common infections with serious sequelae. HSV-1 is an increasingly important cause of genital herpes in industrialized countries.Methods. Using nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we examined HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence among 14- to 49-year-olds in the United States. We estimated seroprevalence in 1999–2004 and 2005–2010, stratified by sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors. We also reviewed HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence from 1976–1980 to 2005–2010.Results. In 2005–2010, the seroprevalence of HSV-1 was 53.9%, and the seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 15.7%. From 1999–2004 to 2005–2010, HSV-1 seroprevalence declined by nearly 7% (P < .01), but HSV-2 seroprevalence did not change significantly. The largest decline in HSV-1 seroprevalence from 1999–2004 to 2005–2010 was observed among adolescents aged 14–19 years, among whom seroprevalence declined by nearly 23%, from 39.0% to 30.1% (P < .01). In this age group, HSV-1 seroprevalence declined >29% from 1976–1980 to 2005–2010 (P < .01).Conclusions. An increasing number of adolescents lack HSV-1 antibodies at sexual debut. In the absence of declines in HSV-2 infections, the prevalence of genital herpes may increase. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

After the 1989–1991 rubella resurgence, rubella vaccination efforts targeted children and women of childbearing age. Utilizing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data collected during 1988-1994 and 1999- 2004, we assessed whether US levels of rubella seropositivity are consistent with rubella elimination and whether changes are consistent with immunization efforts. Serum samples with rubella antibody levels ⩾10 IU tested by rubella immunoglobulin G enzyme immunoassay were considered to be positive. In 1999–2004, the overall age-adjusted rubella seropositivity level was 91.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.5%–92.1%), a significant increase from 88.1% (95% CI, 86.9%–89.1%) in 1988-1994 (P < .001). Among children, seropositivity was highest in children 6–11 years of age (96.2%), followed by adolescents 12–19 years of age (93.7%). Both groups showed significant increases in immunity levels, in comparison with those in 1988–1994 (P < .001). Among adults, seropositivity among women increased (from 88.9% to 91.5%; P = .015), and there was no change among men (from 87.8% to 88.0%; P = .84). In 1999–2004, population rubella immunity levels were at or above the modeled threshold for elimination of rubella virus transmission. Increases in immunity levels are consistent with vaccination efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the HIV prevalence trends in household population according to the 1998 and 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys in the U.S. Serum or urine samples were tested for HIV antibody. The researchers presented the cause as well as the risk factors for HIV infection according to race, ethnic, or gender groups.