What is the difference between the two herpes simplex types?
Either type can be contracted on the face or on the genitals. The only difference to you is that type 1 is more likely to recur when it is caught on the face and type 2 is more likely to recur when affecting the genitals. Type 1 does not often recur if caught on the genitals. There is no difference in the visible symptoms caused by the two types, so it is only possible to establish which type you have caught through a laboratory test. Both viruses are called herpes simplex virus.
