Yes, if you have had recurrent cold sores, that means you almost certainly have HSV 1 infection.
Terri
Just want to clarify, does having cold sores in the past mean I am HSV 1 positive?
In studies, we do swabbing from absolutely normal skin - no lesions need to be present to do swab testing. It is slightly more likely to get a positive swab from a lesion, but any skin can be swabbed.
Again, if you have had oral lesions that are HSV 1, it would be very unlikely to get HSV 1 genitally.
Terri
Looking forward to hearing from your answer for the above, please help!!!
Thank you for your reply! Since the symptoms were not very severe and the red bumps were so small, it was quite difficult to do an accurate swab test. I have seen 2 doctors in the past month and did 2 blood tests already. One doctor did a visual inspection on my blisters and told me not to worry about it. The 2nd doctor who is a specialist did the visual inspection when I had the small red bumps and told me it was possible that they were herpes but had to do a swab test to be certain. But he also told me that the symptoms were not serious and he could only do a swab test when they were more obvious and severe. Anyways, I forgot to ask that I never did any herpes blood test until the last couple of months, so I was not sure if I was HSV I positive. What is the chance that I was HSV I positive if I have had 2 to 3 incidents of having cold sores in the past? Thanks!
It would be unlikely to get HSV 1 genitally since you've had it orally.
Did you see a health care provider during any of these episodes to have the lesions swab tested? What were the results?
If you do indeed have HSV 1 genitally, yes you could infect her through intercourse, and if you have it orally you could infect her through giving her oral sex. Both could even happen when there are no symptoms present. Yes, your partner could also get HSV 1 from you through kissing.
The numeric differences between the two tests are very normal variations and have absolutely no meaning.
If you've not had these bumps swab tested, please do so and try to find out what's going on . This could also be bacterial, and you need to find out so you can employ the correct treatment.
Terri