Viruses from the family Herpesviridae are amongst the most widespread viruses in nature with HSV-1 and HSV-2 being the most abundant. Common symptoms caused by these viruses are wounds around the oral cavity or genitals and other complications. These viruses share a similar structure: double-stranded DNA inside the capsid, a tegument outside and an envelope wrapped around the virus. The infectious cycle represents a constant switch between the lytic and latent cycles. Replication of HSV-1 and HSV-2 is prevented by a number of antiviral drugs. These viruses have been shown to have their transcripts and DNA sequences found in malignant cells of the oral cavity, neck or cervix, and antibodies specific to them have been found in the blood of patients with malignant cells.There are numerous proposed mechanisms for the role of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in carcinogenesis. When the virus enters the cell, most cellular processes are silenced, and one of the most significant of those is apoptosis. Once an infection is established, the virus can stimulate a specific cell pathway and affect the transcription of numerous genes. The current explanation is that HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses are most likely cofactors in carcinogenesis in addition to other factors already present.