Question:
To begin with, I contracted the virus on my genitals from my boyfriend who apparently has type 1 and didn't know it.

So far I have had no sign of getting cold sores on my mouth but since I have it on my genitals does that mean I also have it on my mouth and just haven't had any symptoms?

Also, if someone fingers you without using some sort of protection, can the virus be spread easily? Even if they wash their hands afterwards without touching themselves?

They also say the virus can be active on your skin without symptoms, does this mean it can be active everywhere on your body? Or is it just the site of the infection?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Answer:
To begin with, I contracted the virus on my genitals from my boyfriend who apparently has type 1 and didn't know it.

So far I have had no sign of getting cold sores on my mouth but since I have it on my genitals does that mean I also have it on my mouth and just haven't had any symptoms? No, it doesn't necessarily mean that. The virus takes up residence at the base of your spine or at the top of it. If you have Oral HSV, it will reside at the top of your spine, and your entire oral area (including your mouth, inside and out, and your immediate facial area) can possibly be affected by outbreaks and may also possibly shed the virus when you don't have an active outbreak. Similarly, if you have genital HSV, it will "live" in the bottom part of your spine, and may appear anywhere in the genital region (one of our members calls it the "boxer shorts area" which is a great way to think of it). You may get outbreaks of HSV anywhere from your lower abdomen to your upper thigh (although it commonly occurs in the more central area to include your vaginal area, the skin around it, and your anus or butt cheeks).

Also, if someone fingers you without using some sort of protection, can the virus be spread easily? Even if they wash their hands afterwards without touching themselves? You may want to read up on transmission, but if your partner's fingers come into contact with your genital region and you either have active sores or are shedding the virus, they have the potential for contracting HSV. Usually, this would happen if they then contact their fingers with their oral or genital areas, or if they have open wounds on their fingers (in which case they'd have what we call herpes whitlow). Washing with soap and water after coming into contact with your genital area can greatly reduce their chances of contracting it, and keeping them away from that area altogether whenever you're feeling run-down, have identified OB symptoms, or whenever you're suffering from an OB and for about a week or two afterwards will really help decrease their chances as well. There are a number of precautions that can be taken to avoid transmission, and you should be sure to educate yourself on those.

They also say the virus can be active on your skin without symptoms, does this mean it can be active everywhere on your body? Or is it just the site of the infection? As i said earlier, the virus only "lives" in the base or top of the spine. Therefore, if you have ONLY genital HSV, it will only be contagious from the genital area. However, you should keep in mind that you may have HSV in the other area without having OBs and continue to practice good hygene regardless.

Answer:
Thank you very much for your help =)