IDSA’s “Science Speaks”: Zambia, South Africa prevention study finds those with herpes virus facing six times HIV risk
Antigone Barton, senior editor and writer of “Science Speaks,” discusses findings from a study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases examining the “association between infection with the virus that causes genital herpes, and HIV infection” among men and women in Zambia and South Africa. Barton writes, “While the two sexually transmitted infections could simply be likelier to be found in individuals with more sexual partners, the authors point to earlier longitudinal studies showing HSV2 infection preceding HIV infection, and suggest it is likely that HSV2 infection contributes to the risks of subsequent HIV infection…” (4/11).