What is a secondary herpes simplex infection?

Primary infection: Means first episode . Recurrence is term for a second or more episode.

Recurrence: When you contract the virus from someone else, that is a primary infection and the virus remains in the nerve root corresponding to the area of infection. Later in life the virus may travel down the nerve and cause new lesions. This is called a secondary infection. It can happen one or more times in a lifetime. A cold sore on the lip is such a secondary infection.