What are the two types of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV)?

What are the two types of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV)?

• A. HSV-2 and HSV-3
• B. HSV-1 and HSV-3
• C. HSV-1 and HSV-2
• D. HSV-2 and HSV-4

Answer: (C)

The question tests knowledge of which types of herpes simple virus can cause genital herpes. The two types involved are HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is typically linked to oral herpes, but it can also infect the genital area, especially through oral-genital contact. HSV-2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes, but either type can appear there. The other options mix in viruses that aren’t HSV types—HSV-3 is varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox/shingles) and HSV-4 is Epstein-Barr virus—so they don’t represent the true types of HSV that can cause genital herpes.

The question tests knowledge of which types of herpes simple virus can cause genital herpes. The two types involved are HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is typically linked to oral herpes, but it can also infect the genital area, especially through oral-genital contact. HSV-2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes, but either type can appear there. The other options mix in viruses that aren’t HSV types—HSV-3 is varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox/shingles) and HSV-4 is Epstein-Barr virus—so they don’t represent the true types of HSV that can cause genital herpes.