Types of Herpes

The situation is:

I was diagnosed with herpes earlier this month.  I am ABSOLUTELY sure I got it from partner (off and on for 3 years or so).  After the doctor's visit, he 'finally' informs me that he 'has had a cold sore before'.  So this is why I feel I got it from him because we were sexually active earlier this month and he did perform oral sex on me.  Being that he 'has had cold sores' before, that means he more than likely has HSV1... does this now mean that I have genital HSV1?  or is it possible for him (with oral HSV1) to transmit genital HSV2 to me?

[estrellab]

no, it would be 1 but the doctor should have explained all of that to you. EB

[stateofconfusion]

thanks a bunch.   now my question is..   although I KNOW they are all 'HERPES' (society has made one seem bad and one not so bad)... is it true that genital HSV1 typically has fewer outbreaks than genital HSV2?  And is it true that HSV1 may have a slightly less chance of being spread genitally to a negative partner?

[gracefromHHP]

How were you diagnosed as having herpes? Was it just a visual diagnosis or did you also have testing done on an active lesion?  If you had a lesion culture but they didn't type it - ask your doctor to call the clinic and see if they still have the specimen to type it for you. That will be your quickest way to find out which type it is.  Otherwise you and your partner should both get type specific herpes igg blood tests for hsv1 and hsv2 and see what the results are.  You can post the numeric results here for me if you need help with them.  Knowing your type is important and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Yes on average hsv1 genitally sheds much less than hsv2 does and also reoccurs much less. Once you know which type you have you can better figure out how to best treat your herpes.  Don't assume anything - both of you need tested to see who has what.

grace

[stateofconfusion]

thanks!!!