herpes

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a common lifelong viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2, sometimes producing recurring sores around the mouth or genitals

   The clinician explained that herpes can be transmitted even when no sores are visible.

From Latin herpes, from Greek herpes ("a creeping skin eruption"), from herpein ("to creep"). The name reflects the old observation that the eruption seemed to creep or spread across the skin.

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