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Glite Dictionary
HSV-2

HSV-2

1 6.1
A virus that usually causes genital herpes
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : VHS-2
  • Statistics show that approximately 1 in 6 adults in the U.S. are infected with HSV-2, highlighting the prevalence of this virus.

Examples

  • Sexual health education often addresses the transmission risks associated with HSV-2 for sexually active individuals.

  • Many individuals living with HSV-2 may experience outbreaks of painful sores in the genital area.

  • It does seem as though most people who have HSV-2 have symptoms within the first month.

    Blog text (17)

  • A 28–34% reduction in HSV-2 acquisition and a 32–35% reduction in HPV acquisition have been shown in circumcised men 16, 17.

    Blog text (19)

  • We also did not consider the increased rates of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and human papillomavirus (HPV) that would be expected if circumcision rates decline.

    Blog text (19)

  • The expected increased incidence of HSV-2, HPV, bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas infections, and cervical cancer broadens the public health impact of decreased circumcision rates.

    Blog text (19)

Synonyms

HS2
vsHSV-2
  • Specialized
1 6.6

A virus that commonly causes genital herpes

is the same name but written in an alternate abbreviation style
HSV-II
vsHSV-2
  • Specialized
8.6

A virus that usually causes sores on the genitals

is more specific about the exact virus type rather than a general description
herpes simplex 2
vsHSV-2
  • Specialized
3.8

A virus that causes herpes in the genital area and spreads during sex

is commonly responsible for genital infection rather than only a possible cause

Surface Forms

HSV-2 singular
HSV-2s plural

Etymology

HSV-2 stands for herpes simplex virus type 2; herpes comes from a Greek word meaning 'to creep' because the infection can come back and move along the skin, simplex means 'single', and virus originally meant 'poison'. So HSV-2 is the 'second type' of this virus and that name helps remember that it commonly causes genital herpes.