Sexual Health Buzz

is it possible to get herpes type 2 from type 1?

No, HSV-1 doesn’t miraculously turn into HSV-2. A person can be properly tested for herpes to find out if they have HSV-1, HSV-2, both OR nothing at all.

i broke out on my face on and off since 2001. i was tested for genital herpes and was negative. i had blood work done recently and they diagnosed me with type 1 and 2 herpes. i have been with my husband for 9 years and he doesn’t have it, but i do. i didn’t have the type 2 prior to meeting my husband. i’m confused how i got type 2. any idea?

Just because you’ve broken out on your face doesn’t mean those sores are herpes. The only way to know for sure would be to have your doctor do a herpes culture on the sores to figure that out once and for all.

If you were diagnosed with HSV-1 and HSV-2 then statistically you probably have oral facial herpes type-1 and genital herpes type-2. If you have a history of cold sores and/or fever blisters then that would explain the oral herpes type-1.

If you have more questions be sure and ask them over on our Shut Up and Post! STD Message Board, k? Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and talk to your doctor about this stuff too.