Herpesviruses are a family of DNA viruses that cause various diseases in humans and animals. They are characterized by their ability to establish lifelong latent infections, with periodic reactivation leading to recurrent symptoms or the ability to transmit the infection without symptoms (asymptomatic viral shedding). In humans, herpesviruses are responsible for conditions such as cold sores, genital herpes, chickenpox, shingles, and infectious mononucleosis.