How do you know you have type 1 genitally?   The blood test can't show you
that.  It's possible you have type 1 orally and just never have outbreaks.
That's the joy of blood tests, you find out exactly what you have, but not
where you have it.

Having type 1, as far as what it means, is about the same as your type 2.
Because you have type 2 already, there is no extra precaution to have to
take.  Especially since you don't really know the location.

Type 1 prefers the oral area, so remember that if your type 1 is genital, it
can be spread to someone's mouth through oral sex.  But it is difficult to
pass genital to genital.  If it is oral, then you can pass it to someone's
genitals through oral sex.

ar

I'm a little confused Over50, did a blood test tell you that you had
HSV-2 or did you just "think" that.  And is the type 2 that you thought
you had genital? From what I know, if you had HSV-2 genitally, you
cannot then contract HSV-1 genitally.  The reverse, however is
possible.

The only way to ever determine if an infection is new is to have a
positive culture test and a negative blood test.  This would indicate
that the virus was present in the lesion but hadn't been in the body
long enough for antibodies to have developed.  I'm afraid at this point
in the game, you won't know WHEN you got both types (if indeed you have
both types).

I was misdiagnosed with type 2 several months ago due to a then recent,
larger, oral outbreak of type 1.  Subsequent tests (2 more to be exact)
revealed that I actually have type 1 only.  So these best thing for you
to do at this time is request a Herpes Select Type 1 & Type 2 test.
This will indicate whether you have one or both. (I'm assuming the
person you felt infected you was a while back...if it's been really
recent...the blood test may not be accurate yet).

Good luck to you.

Michelle Smith

ok, I only assumed I had type 1 genitialy since in past 17 years all my
OB's were inside my vagina. Since menopause 7 years ago, I have had
minimal OB's and mainly on buttocks like red bumps. Some itching thats it,
twice a year.

A doctor 24 years ago saw through his eyes , sores inside my vagina after
a severe dose of antibiotics and surgery, said sorry but you have Herpes
and prescribed Zorivax for the sores.
He did not say what type and not sure if he even knew that.

Since finding this site I have concluded on my own I must have had type 2
for past 17 years and maybe in last 4 got the type 1. The hospital that
took the tests did what they knew how to do, I tried to explain to the
nurse exactly what i have seen here as far as tests to be taken  and I
believe they did exactly that. Since i have not been back to talk to him
about my results I cannot say anymore.
I have been celibant for past 2 years so i know my antibodies would tell
right away.

Ty AR and Michelle for your help.