this is probably a dumb question i get cold sores once and a while since i was little does that mean i have hsv2 should i get tested ive never had a ny herpes symptom but its can be dormant right?

Hi Apple82,

There's NEVER a dumb question here! Welcome. Cold sores are, more times than not, HSV-1. Typically, HSV-1 would prefer the mouth and HSV-2 prefers the gential area.

Testing for it is completely up to you. However, many doctors just refuse to test patients for cold sores and HSV-1. One of my kids has it and the pediatrician refused to test her for it because it was pretty obvious what it was. She asked me what I would do with the information when it came back positive for HSV-1 (which we knew it was). My answer was, frankly, nothing.

Most people have this virus and many got it while children. (Some adult kissed them on the mouth when they were a kid). You just want to watch for any cold sores or tenderness on the lips. When that happens, refrain from kissing.

I hope this helps,
Dharma

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