SYN: herpes simplex.
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Sim·plex·vi·rus 'sim-.pleks-.vī-rəs n a genus of double-stranded DNA viruses of the family Herpesviridae that usu. infect primates including two (HSV-1 and HSV-2) specific for humans and that tend to persist in the host as latent infections in neurons
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Sim·plex·vi·rus (simґpleks-vi″rəs) [herpes simplex + virus] the herpes simplex virus group, a genus of ubiquitous viruses of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae (family Herpesviridae) that infect various animals; included are human herpesviruses 1 and 2, bovine herpesvirus 2, and herpesvirus B.Medical dictionary. 2011.