HSV 1 versus HSV 2 - which is worse?

[maori1]

Hi there:

I have been tested HSV1 positive but unsure if it is genital or oral exposure as I have never had breakouts, lesions
etc.  My Dr says a redness I have had for 5 months on my shaft is not an STD and he has done swabs, cultured, blood antibodies and tested me for Herpes and STDs proper to a negative other cold sore virus which he says
is most likely an old infection.

If I do have HSV1 how does it compare to HSV2 and how easy is it to transmit HSV1 genital to genitals if no outbreak or lesions are present?  Many thanks for your feedback all.

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, Most that test positive for hsv1 is oral and from childhood. If a person has it oral, getting it genital would be next to zero as antibodies would help prevent it. Most that get it in both area caught it at the same time where no antibodies were present.
Hsv2 is most often genital and is passed via sex.

[maori1]

Hi Life360,

Thanks for the feedback very much.  Just couple more questions if you dont mind please

1. If you have HSV1 genital - what would the symptoms be and how easy is it to transfer from a male to female genitals?

2. Does Igg mean an old infection? while Igm a new one?

Thanks so much.