疱疹病毒科是一种DNA病毒，可在人类和动物上造成疾病。

目前已知在这科中有八种病毒可造成人类疾病，这类病毒被统称为人类疱疹病毒（Human Herpesvirus），简称为HHV。

Herpesviridae is a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word herpein ("to creep"), referring to the latent, recurring infections typical of this group of viruses. Herpesviridae can cause latent or lytic infections.