How can you tell if HSV 2 is oral or genital, or both?

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I've recently been diagnosed with herpes hsv2. i knew i had hsv1 as I've had cold sores from an early age.

I've never had any symptoms of genital herpes, but when i was with my ex a few years ago, during a relationship i developed cold sores around my nose on two occasions that took about a month to heal up, and id not had a cold sore in this location before.

I know HSV2 is more commonly linked with genital herpes, but can can also be contracted orally. Given the above i'm questioning whether i have oral or genital herpes, and how id go about determining this.

Can anyone here assist?

Thank you

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1 Reply

  • Posted

    you can have both viruses in both places same time different time all of the above. HSV1 lives in the upper spine and HSV2 lives in the lowers spine but both can appear in each area. the only way to get an answer for your questions is to have a swab done at the time of having an active sore. also 90% of people with hsv 2 are asymptomatic and dont have any signs or symptoms

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