herpes
/ˈhəːpiːz
/noun [mass noun]
Any of a group of virus diseases caused by herpesviruses, affecting the skin (often with blisters) or the nervous system.Viruses including flu, herpes, measles and chickenpox can cause pneumonia....
- Your pap smear can occasionally identify sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes or human papilloma virus.
- In combination with drug therapies, it is useful in treating skin diseases, such as psoriasis, herpes, and eczema.
Derivatives
herpetic
/ adjective ...- The pain may precede the onset of the herpetic rash and, rarely, herpetic neuralgia can occur without the development of a rash.
- Symptoms of herpetic encephalitis may include headache, confusion, seizures, or lethargy.
- Adverse effects include true hypersensitivity, secondary bacterial and herpetic infection, and postinflammatory pigmentation changes.
Origin
Late Middle English (originally used also of other skin conditions): via Latin from Greek herpēs 'shingles', literally 'creeping', from herpein 'to creep'.