herpes
noun
her·pes ˈhər-(ˌ)pēz 
: any of several inflammatory diseases of the skin caused by herpesviruses and characterized by clusters of vesicles
especially : herpes simplex
herpetic
(ˌ)hər-ˈpe-tik
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In the next few months, Barstool published dozens of tweets, videos and blog posts accusing the actor of being racist, having herpes and stalking his ex-girlfriend. 
Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2022 Researchers concluded that being simultaneously infected with AAV2 and either an adenovirus or, less commonly, the herpes virus HHV6, was likely to be behind the outbreak in acute pediatric hepatitis. Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 26 July 2022 And that means probably testing anyone who presents with an atypical case of shingles or an atypical case of herpes for monkeypox as well. CBS News, 7 Aug. 2022 The doctor sent him home with Valtrex, an antiviral drug used to treat herpes. Dominique Mosbergen, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 Genital herpes and syphilis are common STIs that present this way, says Dr. Khalil, but other infections such as scabies or pubic lice can cause a rash or extreme itchiness without ulcers. Alyssa Jung, Good Housekeeping, 17 July 2022 Cases that have been recently identified have included symptoms such as skin lesions in the genital, groin, and anal areas that could be confused with rashes caused by herpes, syphilis or other common diseases, according to the Health Department. Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 11 July 2022 In these cases, the rash has looked very similar to other diseases, such as herpes, chickenpox, or syphilis, John Brooks, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC, said in today's briefing. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 23 May 2022 Exercise has been found to protect people from other viral infections, including flu, herpes, Epstein-Barr and the common cold, and improve the immune response to vaccinations. Allysia Finley, WSJ, 23 Jan. 2022 See More
Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2022 Researchers concluded that being simultaneously infected with AAV2 and either an adenovirus or, less commonly, the herpes virus HHV6, was likely to be behind the outbreak in acute pediatric hepatitis. Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 26 July 2022 And that means probably testing anyone who presents with an atypical case of shingles or an atypical case of herpes for monkeypox as well. CBS News, 7 Aug. 2022 The doctor sent him home with Valtrex, an antiviral drug used to treat herpes. Dominique Mosbergen, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 Genital herpes and syphilis are common STIs that present this way, says Dr. Khalil, but other infections such as scabies or pubic lice can cause a rash or extreme itchiness without ulcers. Alyssa Jung, Good Housekeeping, 17 July 2022 Cases that have been recently identified have included symptoms such as skin lesions in the genital, groin, and anal areas that could be confused with rashes caused by herpes, syphilis or other common diseases, according to the Health Department. Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 11 July 2022 In these cases, the rash has looked very similar to other diseases, such as herpes, chickenpox, or syphilis, John Brooks, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC, said in today's briefing. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 23 May 2022 Exercise has been found to protect people from other viral infections, including flu, herpes, Epstein-Barr and the common cold, and improve the immune response to vaccinations. Allysia Finley, WSJ, 23 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin, from Greek herpēs, from herpein to creep — more at serpent
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing herpes
Medical Definition
herpes
noun
her·pes ˈhər-(ˌ)pēz
: any of several inflammatory diseases of the skin caused by herpesviruses and characterized by clusters of vesicles
especially : herpes simplex