I am 17 and have been diagnosed with Herpes Simplex 1 how do I find out if its a genital infection or not.?

Well, today I had gone and got my test results for STI's and STD's checkup, to discover that I have Herpes Simplex 1. Now as a child I had a few cold sores which I know is a type of oral Herpes Simplex 1. However, when I was with my previous girlfriend, one day she gave me oral, whilst she had a small cut like object on the side of her mouth.. Anyways due to lack of sexual education at Queensland schools I was unaware that cold sores could in fact transfer herpes.. Until after when she said something about it, then felt guilty and such.





Now I would like to know how I would go in finding out which of the two it is, and I am very lucky to have gone and gotten tested before I conducted any sexual acts with my current partner. I know the bloodtest only reveals that you have had antibodies, but consequently I want to know if this infection is in my genital region so that I know if I have to play everything as safe as possible.





I havent had any outbreaks in either area, the only thing that I have had in my pubic region in the past 6 months was an ingrown hair.|||You most likely have it only on your mouth if you haven't had any sexual activity yet. Having cold sores will make you test positive for HSV1, simply because cold sores are caused by oral herpes (HSV1).


Your not likely to get it again if you have had cold sores for a long period of time, but some times having HSV1 doesn't always give you immunity towards getting it on other locations of your body.


If that cut was a cold sore then she could have passed oral herpes to your genitals.


Why would you feel guilty for her, I imagine she would be feeling really guilty for possibly doing that to you.


Unfortunately you won't be able to tell until you have an out break. The blood tests only tells if you have it or not, it doesn't give you the location of your out breaks. If you don't have an out break with in the usual 2-30 days chances are you either escaped getting down below, or it's dormant for now..|||Easy. I have HS1 too, and asked my doc to explain it. HS1 is oral. HS2 is genital. End of story.|||It is determined by a blood test. The blood test tells you HSV1 (oral) or HSV2 (genital).





However, they are very similar virus'. HSV1 or HSV2 or both of them can infect your face/lips or your genital area. Yet, HSV1 prefers to take up residence in the nerves near the face and HSV2 prefers to take up residence in the lower spinal nerves. Preferred doesn't mean can't take up residence in either place.





Once you are positive for HSV1 you will develop immunity over time which will:





prevent you from catching it again (HSV1), you can still catch HSV2, HSV1 present does not make you immune to the other one


cause fewer breakouts and less severe


never make you immune from passing it to someone else and it can happen even if you don't have an active sore. Viral shedding can occur even if you don't see any sores.





The only way to see if you have HSV1 in both your mouth and genital area is to have an actual sore cultured to see if the herpes virus if present grows. That culture test can not tell you if its HSV1 or HSV2, it simply says yes this sore has the herpes virus present.





So, you've taken the blood test, its HSV1, oral. So, you are positive for oral herpes, you have it. It may or may not have taken up residence in your upper or lower spine. Iht may or may not produce sores in either or both locations





One thing is for sure, you are a carrier of HSV1 and can spread it to others. So, when you see a sore, feel it coming on, itching, burning, or have symptoms that its coming, you need to keep your mouth and genitals away from negative people and when you get a sore in either location, go get it cultured and see for sure that its herpes and not simply something else.|||Hi Ehhhhh,


First, let me say good on you for getting tested before sleeping with your partner. Ok,so it is possible that your ex gave you herpes "down there", it is also possible though that you gave yourself it though. If you were picking at the scab on your lips before going to the toilet, you may have spread the virus, or you might not have any genital infection at all. If you have never had blisters on your genitalia, it is still possible that you carry the virus and can pass it on, though the chances are low. The best method for preventing any std is of course to use a condom, though at least this disease is merely uncomfortable and not life changing. I think that you should talk to your girlfriend about this and come to a decision on what to do, together.