Herpesviruses are a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in humans and animals. The most common types affecting humans are Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) and Type 2 (HSV-2), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Human Herpesvirus 6, 7, and 8. These viruses can cause a range of clinical manifestations, from cold sores and genital herpes to chickenpox and mononucleosis.
