It can be, yes, but it rarely happens as HSV 1 is rarely shed from the genital tract, once it is living there.  Do you have other questions for me?

Terri

No, genital herpes virus would live in the sacral ganglia - oral herpes would reside in the trigeminal ganglia at the base of the head.  HSV 1 genital infection can definitely be shed from the genitals perhaps on around 13-15% of days with a new infection, and that would decrease after the first six months, and then greatly after two years.  Once a person has mounted an immune response to the virus (around 3-4 months), they are extremely unlikely to spread this to a new location on their body.

Terri

A. When HSV1 is genital (meaning it lies in the sacral ganglia vs the trigeminal ganglia), it not only sheds less than HSV2 (oral & genital) but it also sheds less than oral HSV1? Meaning, after two years, genital HSV1 almost ceases to shed (unlike oral HSV1, genital HSV2, oral HSV2)?

B. By "spread to a new location on their body", do you mean that if a HSV1 infection (oral or genital) is new, it can still be accidentally spread to different parts of that same person's body?

a.  Correct. 

b. Yes.  Before a good immune system has mounted, it is possible to transfer the virus to a new location on your body.  It doesn't happen often, but I definitely have seen it happen.

Terri