There are two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV): HSV-1 typically causes fever blisters or cold sores on the mouth or face, which is called oral herpes. HSV-2 typically causes vesicles in the genital area and is called genital herpes.The type of infection depends on the location of the virus more than on the type of virus—each type can cause either genital or oral infections if that is where it is contracted.Blood tests are not useful for the initial diagnosis of HSV infection but they are available to for determining which type of HSV a person has been infected with, although they are not completely reliable for differentiating between HSV1 and HSV2. Most doctors rely on visual inspection of any lesions and culture or molecular tests on the scrapings taken from the infected area. Virus’s is grown in culture can be typed using specific antisera for HSV 1 and HSV 2 and molecular methods can distinguish between the two types of HSV.Active herpes simplex virus infections can make people more susceptible to HIV infection and can make people who have HIV more infectious to others.
