How to Use herpes simplex in a Sentence

herpes simplex

noun
  • Also on the list of smoochable threats is herpes simplex 1, the virus responsible for cold sores.
    — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2022
  • One prevailing theory is that herpes simplex virus may be the culprit.
    — Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2020
  • However, nearly half of American adults have the first type of herpes simplex virus.
    — Alexandra Sifferlin, Time, 7 Feb. 2018
  • The herpes simplex virus — which comes in two forms — raises the risk of acquiring HIV.
    — Jason Mast Reprints, STAT, 21 Apr. 2023
  • Blisters that form on the lips or around the mouth from a herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.
    — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 27 July 2024
  • Cold sores, also known as herpes labialis, are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
    — Dr. Leslie Baumann, miamiherald, 19 Feb. 2018
  • Doctors were about to take a needle filled with herpes simplex virus, the strain responsible for cold sores, and plunge it directly into his scalp.
    — Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2021
  • Cold sores are usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
    — Christa Sgobba, Men's Health, 31 Mar. 2023
  • Similarly, drugs that are used to treat the herpes simplex virus aren't effective against other herpes viruses.
    — NBC News, 7 May 2020
  • Lab tests indicated Brothers had herpes simplex virus, but the health department did not report the results to her.
    — Staff and Wire Reports, Sun-Sentinel.com, 27 Mar. 2018
  • The often painful blister usually appears around the lips or mouth, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 20 Dec. 2024
  • This was caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), also known as the cold sore virus, the outlet stated.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Shingles and herpes simplex are more devious, hibernating like a bear until severe stress wakes them up, often years later.
    — Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Oct. 2021
  • The majority of these are thought to come from a viral infection, especially herpes simplex virus 1, the kind that causes cold sores.
    — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 31 Mar. 2021
  • Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus-1, also called oral herpes or HSV-1, and are contagious.
    — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, 26 Feb. 2018
  • The boyfriend’s test, taken under Cochran’s supervision, showed infection with herpes simplex virus.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, courant.com, 12 July 2019
  • The prevalence of both genital and oral herpes simplex virus infections has declined steadily since 2000.
    — Nicholas Bakalar, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2018
  • Oral herpes is an infection usually caused by the herpes simplex virus 1, or HSV-1.
    — Sarah Klein, Health.com, 31 Oct. 2017
  • The man had entered the trial with an infection of herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1), which mainly causes cold sores.
    — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 22 Nov. 2017
  • The pièce de résistance was the cluster of blisters atop my skin lesion—the hallmark of varicella-zoster and its close relative, herpes simplex, the virus that causes cold sores and genital herpes.
    — Claire Panosian Dunavan, Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2012
  • The university has acknowledged that there were serious problems with Halford’s work, and its medical school has halted all herpes simplex virus research.
    — Amanda Schaffer, WIRED, 1 May 2018
  • In the United States, bacterial infections can cause meningitis, as can enteroviruses, mumps and herpes simplex.
    — New York Times, 3 June 2021
  • More serious complications can arise if the virus spreads to the eyes, leading to a condition called herpes simplex keratitis, which can cause blurred vision and even permanent damage if left untreated.
    — Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
  • The question then arose as to whether the microbe was a more virulent form of a common existing pathogen, such as ubiquitous herpes simplex, or if AIDS was caused by a new one.
    — Kenneth H. Mayer, STAT, 7 June 2021
  • Researchers already know that some conditions, such as HIV and herpes simplex, can cause brain inflammation that leads to cognitive decline, Isaacson said.
    — Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2021
  • The fatty acids extracted from cod liver oil have been shown to cause a significant reduction of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) activity on the skin.
    — Hannah Coakley, Msph, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 July 2024
  • There are a few viruses out there that have stubbornly resisted all efforts to develop a vaccine, including hepatitis C, herpes simplex and HIV.
    — Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 27 May 2020
  • Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1, which is easily transmitted by direct contact from one person’s oral area to another person’s genitals.
    — Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Ancient chimpanzees genetically passed oral herpes (herpes simplex 1, or HSV-1) to the earliest humans millions of years ago when our lineage split.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Oct. 2017
  • Howard and Dan Castner led the squad last season as head coach Steve Castner was recuperating from herpes simplex encephalitis, a virus causing cerebral dysfunction that took him out for most of last season.
    — Sierra Newton, Cincinnati.com, 31 Mar. 2020

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'herpes simplex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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