Herpes Viruses – An Overview

Most human viruses known to cause oral diseases are deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) viruses that are contracted either in childhood or early adulthood through contact with blood, saliva, or other secretions. Herpes viruses seem to be the most important DNA viruses in oral pathology. Clinically, herpes viruses can cause a spectrum of diseases; the hallmark of their infections being immune impairment. Active herpes virus infections may have particularly severe consequences in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and other immunocompromised individuals. This review highlights the description of herpes viruses, organization of its genome and proteins, and the diseases affecting the mankind. It brings to fore the need for newer drugs to effectively manage the ever increasing diseases caused by herpes viruses.