Can type be determined by symptoms

[luvmymtnbike]

I have HSV; doc said it had to be HSV2 since it was in the genitals, but I've since read otherwise.  I get a mild and small single lesion at the edge of my vagina near the perineum and have had 3 flares in the 6 years since I realized I had it.  I don't know where I got it, but I had a boyfriend that would get cold sores and we did have oral sex.  I ended up getting married and finding out about the herpes after the fact.  My husband hasn't been tested, but he shows no outward signs and I'm not taking Valtrex.  Our only precaution is to not have sex if I have a sore.  Based upon the mild symptoms, can it be determined with a good probablity that I have genital HSV1 and that the chance of transferring to my partner is fairly low?  I'd like to give him peace of mind, if I can.  Yes, I realize I need the correct blood test performed, but I'm hoping for some guidance until then.  Thanks!

[gracefromHHP]

so how were you originally diagnosed as having genital herpes?

you and your husband can't make educated decisions about what precautions to take until you know who has what so he'll need to seek out type specific herpes igg blood testing too.

grace

[yogini3]

I had a similar experience. I had an outbreak of HSV in the genital area. I was not given a swab test at the time. I assume for the next 10 years I had herpes and was very contagious. I did not know there were two types of the virus.

11 years later I decided (thanks to this forum) to get an HSV Type Specific blood test.

The test confirmed that I have HSV1, genitally. Negative HSV2.

It was a relief to finally have a definitive result, and be able to obtain the knowledge for my specific infection.

I have had HSV1 genitally for 16 years and have had only one outbreak, the initial. HSV1 in the genital area is usually very mild, with little or no re-occuring outbreaks. It also sheds less than 12 days per year, if at all.

Good luck in your quest for information!

[wyg]

i'm not a professional but in my opinion it sounds like hsv1, it just in general sounds to me like a fever blister (i could be wrong). also the average hsv2 outbreaks is like 4 or 5 the first year. hsv1 has way less occurances. so i would suspect it to be hsv1. and like you said proper testing is really the only way to tell.