此文概述了单纯疱疹病毒2型（herpes simplex virus 2，HSV-2）感染的传播方式和机制，着重介绍了HSV-2感染的流行病学特点。作者利用已经发表的国内外流行病学资料，从性别比例、年龄分布、文化程度等方面，对HSV-2感染的人群进行分析。结果表明，全球范围内HSV-2的感染率逐渐增加，女性的感染率和发病率高于男性。在中国，从年龄分布上来看，以21～40岁年龄段感染人数最多；从文化程度上来看，初中学历者感染率最高。

 This paper summarizes the transmission mode and mechanism of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, emphasizing on the epidemiological characteristics. The accumulated epidemiological data available from the public domain are used to analyze populations infected with HSV-2 based on gender, age, degree of education and other aspects. HSV-2 infection rate increases gradually on a global scale; the rates of infection and incidence are high in female compared with those in male. In China, the highest number of HSV-2 infection is found among the age group of 21-40 years old, and the people with junior high school education has the highest infection rate.