herpes simplex

noun

herpes sim·​plex -ˈsim-ˌpleks How to pronounce herpes simplex (audio)
: either of two diseases caused by herpesviruses (species Human herpesvirus 1 and Human herpesvirus 2 of the genus Simplexvirus) and marked especially by watery blisters on the skin or mucous membranes of the lips, mouth, face, or genital region

Examples of herpes simplex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Type 2 of the herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) affects the genital region, but HSV-1 can also spread from the mouth to the genitals.10 Cold sores often appear in clusters on or around the lips. Health Editorial Team, Health, 30 Oct. 2023 Several conditions are also risk factors for acute liver failure, Johns Hopkins adds, including hepatitis, Wilson's disease, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and herpes simplex virus. Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 5 Sep. 2023 Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Amanda Gardner, Health, 3 Sep. 2023 But perhaps the most concerning is the herpes simplex virus, which can pass onto a fetus during birth and potentially cause complications like neurological damage, brain inflammation, and death. Nicole Harris, Parents, 22 Aug. 2023 The herpes simplex virus — which comes in two forms — raises the risk of acquiring HIV. Jason Mast Reprints, STAT, 21 Apr. 2023 The conversation on Wednesday centered around decades of evidence linking herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1, to Alzheimer’s. Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 3 May 2023 Cold sores are usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Christa Sgobba, Men's Health, 31 Mar. 2023 Nonetheless, there have been reports of FAS with a variety of circumstances such as strokes, blood vessel malformations, herpes simplex encephalitis, and even Covid-19. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'herpes simplex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, simple herpes

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of herpes simplex was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near herpes simplex

Cite this Entry

“Herpes simplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herpes%20simplex. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

herpes simplex

noun
herpes sim·​plex -ˈsim-ˌpleks How to pronounce herpes simplex (audio)
: either of two kinds of herpes marked in one case by groups of watery blisters on the skin and mucous membranes (as of the mouth and lips) above the waist and in the other by such blisters on the genitalia

Medical Definition

herpes simplex

noun
herpes sim·​plex -ˈsim-ˌpleks How to pronounce herpes simplex (audio)
: either of two viral diseases caused by herpesviruses of the genus Simplexvirus that are marked especially by watery blisters on the skin or mucous membranes of the lips, mouth, face, or genital region see hsv-1, hsv-2

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