GENITAL HERPES

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does genital herpes mean? 

• GENITAL HERPES (noun)
  The noun GENITAL HERPES has 1 sense:

1. 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

  Familiarity information: GENITAL HERPES used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GENITAL HERPES (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

genital herpes; herpes genitalis

Hypernyms ("genital herpes" is a kind of...):

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)

Cupid's disease; Cupid's itch; dose; sexually transmitted disease; social disease; STD; VD; venereal disease; venereal infection; Venus's curse (a communicable infection transmitted by sexual intercourse or genital contact)

 Context examples 

For example, you may need to take antibiotics if you develop an infection with group B strep, or take medicines if you have genital herpes.

(Infections and Pregnancy, NIH)

Human herpesvirus 2 is found in humans and causes genital herpes in the form of watery blisters.

(Human Herpesvirus 2, NCI Thesaurus)

It can also cause genital herpes.

(Herpes Simplex, NIH)

Medicines do not cure genital herpes, but they can help your body fight the virus.

(Genital Herpes, NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

There are two types of HSV: • HSV type 1 most commonly causes cold sores. • HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also can infect the mouth.

(Herpes Simplex, NIH)