U.S. Teenagers More Susceptible to Genital Herpes

Teenagers in the United States from this current generation have been found to be more susceptible to genital herpes, a new study suggests.

These claims are supported by data which suggest that teens today don't have enough immune system antibodies that can shield them against sexually transmitted virus. This increased risk may be the result of a lower number of teens exposed during childhood to the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), one of the most common causes of cold sores.

Results of the research are published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. "HSV-1 now is the predominant herpes strain causing genital infection," Dr. David Kimberlin, chair of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, and the author of a journal editorial explained. Dr. Kimberlin also confirmed that at least one in ten adolescents who would have acquired HSV-1 a decade ago and built up some immunity may not encounter HSV-1 when they first become sexually active. This can make them more susceptible to genital herpes compared to younger people in the past couple of years.

"This also has potentially significant consequences on neonatal herpes transmission," which occurs when a baby contracts the herpes virus from a genitally infected mother, Kimberlin said. "We must continue to monitor these changes and watch for shifts in neonatal herpes infection that possibly could result." 

Two of the eight different types of herpes are most important in the transmission of HSV-1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both can lead to lifelong infections without any possible cure, according to Health Day. Dr. Kimber's research however indicates that HSV-1 is becoming a major cause of genital herpes in industrialized countries and is usually contacted during childhood through skin-to-skin contact with an infected adult.