herpes

/ˈhʌrpiz/

/ˈhʌpiz/

Definitions of herpes

1. noun

   viral diseases causing eruptions of the skin or mucous membrane
   types:

   herpes simplex

   an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus; affects the skin and nervous system; produces small temporary (but sometimes painful) blisters on the skin and mucous membranes

   herpes zoster, shingles, zoster

   eruptions along a nerve path often accompanied by severe neuralgia

   cold sore, fever blister, herpes labialis, oral herpes

   caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)

   genital herpes, herpes genitalis

   an infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) that is usually transmitted by sexual contact; marked by recurrent attacks of painful eruptions on the skin and mucous membranes of the genital area

   type of:

   infectious disease

   a disease transmitted only by a specific kind of contact
2. noun

   any of the animal viruses that cause painful blisters on the skin
   synonyms: herpes virus

   types:

   herpes simplex, herpes simplex virus

   a herpes virus that affects the skin and nervous system

   herpes zoster, herpes zoster virus

   a herpes virus that causes shingles

   EBV, Epstein-Barr virus

   the herpes virus that causes infectious mononucleosis; associated with specific cancers in Africa and China

   CMV, cytomegalovirus

   any of a group of herpes viruses that enlarge epithelial cells and can cause birth defects; can affect humans with impaired immunological systems

   varicella zoster virus

   the member of the herpes virus family that is responsible for chickenpox

   HS1, HSV-1, HSV-I, herpes simplex 1

   a herpes virus that causes oral herpes

   HS2, HSV-2, HSV-II, herpes simplex 2

   a herpes virus that can cause genital herpes

   herpes varicella zoster, herpes varicella zoster virus

   a herpes virus that causes chickenpox and shingles

   type of:

   animal virus

   an animal pathogen that is a virus