Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Human herpesvirus 2 (HHV-2)
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Human herpesvirus 2 (HHV-2): A herpes virus that causes genital herpes, characterized by sores in the area of the genitalia. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
This virus, like human herpesvirus 1, can cause infection of the brain (encephalitis) if the immune system is severely defective or compromised. The treatment of infection with human herpesvirus 2 is by topical or oral anti-viral medication.
Human herpesvirus 2 (HHV-2) is also known as herpes simplex type 2.