what the fuck actually is it? every time i try to read something to understand what it is i just get absolutely confused by passages like this

"Several members of this virus family can cause disease, but this protocol will focus on herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), and varicella-zoster virus.

HSV-1 and HSV-2 cause herpes, whereas the varicella-zoster virus typically causes chickenpox in children and shingles later in life (Siakallis 2009; Odom 2012; Wolz 2012; Roizman 2001; Odom 2012)."

seriously. what?

anyone?