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Testing for HSV-2 Infection Among Pregnant Teens: Implications for Clinical Practice
- Source :
-
Journal of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology . Feb2003, Vol. 16 Issue 1, p39. 3p. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Objectives: To pilot test the feasibility of screening pregnant teens for HSV-2 infection during their first prenatal visit.Study Design: A cross-sectional study of 127 African-American adolescent females recruited during their first attendance to a prenatal clinic in a large urban hospital. A rapid serologic test (POCkit, manufactured by Diagnology Inc.) was used to assess HSV-2. The test uses a membrane-based immunoassay to detect circulating IgG antibodies to a specific antigen obtained from HSV-2 (semi-purified glycoprotein G2).Results: More than one-fifth (21.3%) of the adolescents tested positive for HSV-2; only 1 adolescent was previously aware of her infection. Older adolescents and those reporting a history of other STDs were significantly more likely to test positive for HSV-2.Conclusions: Testing for HSV-2 in early pregnancy may be an efficient strategy for (1) initiating patient education designed to promote adoption of protective behaviors among adolescents at risk of HSV-2 acquisition during the remainder of their pregnancy and (2) teaching those who test positive how to recognize symptoms of HSV-2 outbreaks; patients reporting recurrent outbreaks during pregnancy may benefit from predelivery assessment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *HERPES simplex virus
*PREGNANCY
*AFRICAN Americans
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10833188
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 9142118
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/S1083-3188(02)00204-8