The herpesviruses are ubiquitous, doubled-strandedDNA viruses that can reactivate under conditions such as immunosuppressive therapy, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, malnutrition, and immunosenescence. There are eight types of herpesviruses: Human herpesvirus simplex(HSV) type I(HSV-1) and HSV type II(HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus(VZV), epstein-Barr virus(EBV), cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus(HHV)-6, HHV-7, and HHV-8 or Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus. Some of these viruses can infect the oral cavity, leading to different types of lesions. Specifically, labial herpes(HSV-1 and less frequently HSV-2), zoster(VZV), infectious mononucleosis and oral hairy leukoplakia(EBV), and Kaposi’s Sarcoma(HHV-8) are the most common viruses infecting the oral cavity. Some of these viruses can act in synergy with other herpesviruses or as distinct infectious agents. Other herpesviruses may have indirect effects in periodontal disease. The diagnosis is frequently based on signs and symptoms and depends on the experience of the examiner. Cytopathologic and/or histopathologic examination as well as immunological methods such as ELISA could help to elucidate cases. In addition, molecular techniques which can be sensitive and specific have been reported in the literature. These methods require low amounts of sample and could offer results faster than other traditional methods. The herpesviruses are ubiquitous, doubled-stranded DNA viruses that can reactivate under conditions such as immunosuppressive therapy, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, malnutrition, and immunosenescence. There are eight types of herpesviruses: Human herpesvirus simplex (HSV) type I (HSV-1) type II (HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus (HHV) -6, HHV-7, and HHV-8 or Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus. Specifically, labial herpes (HSV-1 and less frequently HSV-2), zoster (VZV), infectious mononucleosis and oral hairy leukoplakia (EBV), and Kaposi’s Sarcoma -8) are the most common viruses infecting the oral cavity. Some of these viruses can act in synergy with other herpesviruses or as distinct infectious agents. Other herpesviruses may have indirect effects in periodontal disease. The diagnosis is frequently based on signs and symptoms and dep ends on the experience of the examiner. Cytopathologic and / or histopathologic examination as well as immunological methods such as ELISA could help to elucidate cases. In addition, molecular techniques which can be sensitive and specific have been reported in the literature. These methods require low amounts of sample and could offer results faster than other traditional methods.