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Can you get a cold sore if you already have type 1 but haven't had cold sore?

dolp12

By dolp12
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dolp12 Newbie

dolp12

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I had been told by my doctor that I have type 1 herpes even though I have only ever had outbreaks in the genital region which obviously would seem more like type 2. I re-tested with an IgG test and the result came back negative for both types which I have since assumed was probably wrong.

I'm concerned because I kissed someone this weekend who looked like they had a pimple/cut something under their lower lip. Now I am wondering if it was a cold sore can I get one assuming I have type 1 but have never had an issue in or around my mouth?

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Bunnehkiss Honeycomb Member

Bunnehkiss

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From what I've read in my research, HSV1 locates itself more in the upper spine, thus it's more likely that the virus will manifest itself on the lips and in the mouth, but of course that doesn't necessarily mean that will always be the case. Sounds like the test you used was definitely wrong though if you're getting genital outbreaks. As for cold sores I've only ever heard that they can be highly contagious, but if it was only a pimple or cut on the person you kissed I wouldn't worry too much. Hope that helps some, and good luck :)

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ALittleDepleted Newbie

ALittleDepleted

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From what I have read it is possible, but rare. I too have genital HSV-1 and I got it from someone with oral HSV-1. He gave it to me through oral sex, but I must have kissed him at least twenty times for every one time he went down on me and I don't have cold sores. Just be sure to mind the signs of an outbreak...better safe than sorry!

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RealisticGal Platinum Support Member

RealisticGal

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From what I've read in my research, HSV1 locates itself more in the upper spine, thus it's more likely that the virus will manifest itself on the lips and in the mouth, but of course that doesn't necessarily mean that will always be the case. Sounds like the test you used was definitely wrong though if you're getting genital outbreaks. As for cold sores I've only ever heard that they can be highly contagious, but if it was only a pimple or cut on the person you kissed I wouldn't worry too much. Hope that helps some, and good luck :)

The thing that determines where an infection establishes latency, the sacral ganglia in the lower back or the trigeminal ganglia near the ear, depends on where a person got infected.

So if a person gets an HSV infection in their genital area, the viral particles will retreat to the sacral ganglia.

If a person acquires an HSV infection in the face/oral region, then it will establish latency in the trigeminal ganglia.

It matters not whether it is caused by HSV1 or HSV2, the infection will go to the ganglia associated with the area of the body at which it was acquired.

Make sense?

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RealisticGal Platinum Support Member

RealisticGal

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I had been told by my doctor that I have type 1 herpes even though I have only ever had outbreaks in the genital region which obviously would seem more like type 2. I re-tested with an IgG test and the result came back negative for both types which I have since assumed was probably wrong.

Have you ever had a swab/culture done of the sores in your genitals? That's the only way you can know what is happening there with a bit more certainty than blood tests, which cannot identify the location of an infection.

If you get this done, be sure to ask the doctor to have the culture "typed." That must be specified or the lab may not do it.

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RealisticGal Platinum Support Member

RealisticGal

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I had been told by my doctor that I have type 1 herpes even though I have only ever had outbreaks in the genital region which obviously would seem more like type 2. I re-tested with an IgG test and the result came back negative for both types which I have since assumed was probably wrong.

When did you have your first genital outbreak, and how long after that were your tests?

What type of test did your doctor base the first diagnosis upon, and how much later was the negative IgG blood test done?

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