The family of herpesviruses encompasses more than 100 different virus types, eight of which can cause infections in humans. These so-called human herpesviruses encompass herpes simplex virus of type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesviruses 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and -7) as well as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), which is associated with Kaposi sarcoma. Despite great structural similarities of the different pathogens, herpesvirus infection can cause very different diseases, e.g. cold sores or genital herpes, chickenpox, shingles, kissing disease or different cancers. During pregnancy, especially primary infection with particular herpesviruses may lead to severe damage or even loss of the child. There is currently only a vaccine against VZV. After primary infection, which often proceeds asymptomatically, herpesviruses persist life-long in the body in a latent state and may become reactivated at a later time point, e.g. due to a weakened immune system, and (again) cause symptoms.