herpes

[ hur-peez ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. any of several diseases caused by herpesvirus, characterized by eruption of blisters on the skin or mucous membranes. Compare chickenpox, genital herpes, oral herpes, shingles.
2. herpesvirus.

herpes

/ ˈhɜːpiːz /

noun

1. any of several inflammatory diseases of the skin, esp herpes simplex, characterized by the formation of small watery blisters See also genital herpes

herpes

/ hûr′pēz /

1. Any of several infections caused by the herpes simplex virus of the genus Simplexvirus or by the varicella-zoster virus, a herpes virus of the genus Varicellavirus. Herpes infections are characterized by painful blisters on the skin or a mucous membrane and are highly contagious. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. Varicella-zoster infection is also called shingles.

herpes

1. A group of related diseases and the viruses that cause them. These diseases are marked by the development of blisterlike sores on the skin or mucous membranes of the body. The herpes virus may invade the mouth region, producing fever blisters or cold sores, or may cause a sexually transmitted disease in which the painful sores appear on the genitals . Chicken pox is another disease caused by a herpes virus.

Notes

After an infection, the virus remains dormant and may return at a later time. Shingles, for example, is a recurrence of the chicken pox virus, and outbreaks of genital herpes recur over time.

Word History and Origins

Origin of herpes¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from New Latin: “cutaneous eruption,” from Greek hérpēs, literally, “a creeping” (derivative of hérpein “to creep, spread”); cognate with Latin serpēns serpent

Word History and Origins

Origin of herpes¹

C17: via Latin from Greek: a creeping, from herpein to creep

Example Sentences

Now I’m thinking about all those nice folks with herpes and how they have medication to help keep everything under wraps for a while.

From Los Angeles Times

"One possibility is the herpes viruses may be one of the many factors that might promote dementia," he said.

From BBC

These clumps of Raji cells, which can cause a strain of herpes in humans, look like …

From New York Times

It’s been associated with infections such as the herpes simplex virus and Epstein-Barr virus, as well as Lyme disease and autoimmune disorders.

From Seattle Times

Halle Berry says her doctor was convinced she had the ‘worst case of herpes’ he had ever seen when she described symptoms related to perimenopause.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• AIDS
• gonorrhea
• syphilis
• the clap
• venereal disease