The invention provides methods for decreasing or inhibiting herpesviridae (HV) infection or pathogenesis of a cell in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, a symptom or pathology associated with a herpesviridae (HV) infection or pathogenesis in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, or an adverse side effect of herpesviridae (HV) infection or pathogenesis in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. In one embodiment, a method of the invention includes treating a subject with an invention compound (e.g., cationic steroid antimicrobial or CSA).