Human Herpesvirus 2

**Semantic type:** Virus

**Definition:** A species of enveloped and spherical viruses with a capsid with T=16 icosahedral symmetry and surrounded by amorphous tegument, in the Herpesviridae family and Simplexvirus genus. The genome is composed of monopartite, linear double-stranded DNA. Human herpesvirus 2 is found in humans and causes genital herpes in the form of watery blisters. Human herpesvirus 2 is transmitted mainly via direct sexual contact.

**Synonyms:** - HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS 2 - HHV-2 - HSV-2 - Herpes Simplex Virus 2 - Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 - Human Alphaherpesvirus 2 - Human alphaherpesvirus 2