HSV Seroprevalence and Diagnosis of Genital Herpes in Pregnant Women

Brief summary: The current management guidelines recommended by ACOG rely on history as a screening method to determine pregnant women who are at risk for transmitting herpes to their newborn. History fails completely in identifying the women most at risk of transmitting herpes to their newborn - the seronegative woman who acquires a primary infection from her partner during pregnancy. Despite recent advances, both pregnant women and newborns continue to be at risk of acquiring herpes infection. Genital herpes infections are epidemic in the United States. In the early 1990's, 25% of women in the US were seropositive for the HSV-2 antibody. These numbers are likely higher now. The incidence of neonatal herpes in the US cannot be accurately estimated since it is not a reportable disease. However, in some areas of the US, the incidence is 1 in 3,200 live births which would translate to an incidence of approximately three infants a day in the US . In other areas of the US, the incidence is even higher, approaching 1 in 1,500 liveborns. This protocol examines patient acceptance of HSV-1 and HSV-2 type specific serologic testing and assesses patient counseling tools. In addition, seroprevalence of HSV-2 in pregnant patients will be collected and evaluated.