Genital herpes is most commonly caused by which virus?

Prepare for the NBME Microbiology Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each query comes with hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

Genital herpes is most commonly caused by which virus?

Explanation:
Genital herpes is most commonly caused by herpes simplex virus type 2. This virus is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and has a tendency to infect the genital mucosa, establishing lifelong latency in the sacral dorsal root ganglia with recurrent genital lesions. While herpes simplex virus type 1 can also cause genital herpes—especially with oral-genital exposure—type 2 remains the more frequent etiologic agent for genital disease overall. The other viruses listed are responsible for different conditions (varicella-zoster for chickenpox/shingles, cytomegalovirus for other systemic infections) and do not typically underlie genital herpes.

Genital herpes is most commonly caused by herpes simplex virus type 2. This virus is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and has a tendency to infect the genital mucosa, establishing lifelong latency in the sacral dorsal root ganglia with recurrent genital lesions. While herpes simplex virus type 1 can also cause genital herpes—especially with oral-genital exposure—type 2 remains the more frequent etiologic agent for genital disease overall. The other viruses listed are responsible for different conditions (varicella-zoster for chickenpox/shingles, cytomegalovirus for other systemic infections) and do not typically underlie genital herpes.

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