Sex With Women as a Risk Factor for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in Baltimore

Abstract

This study suggests that female sex partners may be an important source of HSV-2 infection among young bisexual MSM. After adjusting for known HSV-2 correlates, the number of lifetime female but not male sex partners was independently associated with HSV-2. These results highlight the need for HSV-2 prevention and treatment efforts targeting MSM who also have sex with women. Future investigations of HSV-2 and sexual behavior among MSM need to distinguish between male and female sex partners.