Study: Daily Home Swabbing

Daily Home Sampling Study for African American Men and Women

Purpose: African American men and women have the highest rates of HSV-2 seropositivity. One mechanism of increased transmission of HSV-2 may be based on the amount one "sheds" the virus from the skin. This study will look at the shedding rate of African Americans and compare this with existing data for Caucasian men and women.

Study Visits and Procedures: At the first visit, participants will be screened for HSV-2, and HIV status. Participants will be taught how to recognize signs and symptoms of herpes outbreaks. Those who qualify will be taught how to take daily-home-swabs of their genital area, the proper storage of samples, and to fill out a diary card. Participants will be asked to obtain specimens at home, once a day for 60 days and return to the clinic every 14 days.