How do I know...

I had a outbreak of genital herpes. They swabbed my sores and a took blood test. My blood test came back negative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. My swab test came back positive for genital herpes simplex. My husband got swabbed and blood tested also. His swab came back negative and the blood test came back positive for HSV-1. I want to know how I find out if I have HSV-1 or 2? Do I wait for another out break and get swabbed again? A temporary doctor I had and the internet says that it is possible to get HSV-1 on the genitals, but my current older male doctor made it seem like it was not possilbe. "Genital herpies (herpes) is Genital herpies (herpes)" I want to know which one it is so I can be more prepared and now what my husband and my sex life will be like in the future. Please help!

[petal130]

Your culture should have been "typed" - if it wasn't, follow-up with the lab or your doctor's office and see if they can do it.

There's a good chance that the blood test is negative and swab positive because it's new infection. It can take up to 4 months for the antibodies to show in and IgG type specific test.

Your "current older male doctor" is very misinformed. HSV1 genitally is common - about 1/3 of all new genital herpes cases are HSV1. I have HSV1 genitally that was transmitted to me from my partner's oral HSV1 through oral sex.

You are right - you DO want to know what you have genitally, as it makes a difference based on your partner's status. With him having HSV1 orally, it gives significant protection from him getting it genitally. However, if you have HSV2, it does not protect him.