Calculation of herpes transmission and prevalence rates

[chikitta13]

Good morning! I am very interested in the studies used to develop the handouts here. I am comfortable with what the rates are, but need to know how they were calculated. I need to better understand where the information comes from, and how it is calculated. Research methods and statistics are part of my training, so I am comfortable reading scientific studies. Can anyone guide me to the sources? The nerd in me needs to better understand ;) Thanks a bunch!

[seeker]

I believe the CDC is the source for most of the info. There is some good nerdy reads related to H out there just ne careful of the source.

[sickoflifelessons]

There's also a valtrex study - I don't know if the stats on the handouts come from there, but they're similar: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa035144

[mr_hopp]

Hi there chikitta!

 

Feels so good to hear you digging in and wanting to get to the nitty-gritty details! :)

 

I gathered all the information from different reputable sources. I listed them under the "do your own research" section on both handouts:

http://screencast.com/t/hsSrCFo4x5

 

And please let me know if you find anything in your research that needs tweaking/clarifying/updating on the handouts!

[chikitta13]

Thanks!! I did find another good source from the New England Journal of Medicine that uses NHANES data to calculate prevalence. I'll share the link when I get back to my home computer.

[WCSDancer2010]

This discussion also mentions a study and why the risk rates are done as a per year number rather than per act ;)

 

http://herpeslife.com/herpes-forum/discussion/5255/from-dr-peter-leone-herpes-transmission-risk-per-sex-act-explained