My girlfriend and I have unprotected sex.  I recently noticed a red splotch mark above her left buttock (about 4-6inches wide and irregularly shaped).  I asked her what it was and she confessed its herpes but, she said, its the "oral" kind not the genital kind.  She told me she's had it since she was a baby (that she got it from her mother?) and that she takes Valtrex when it flares up - whenever she gets stressed out.  She says I have nothing to worry about but, of course, I'm concerned.  My question is:  Is this possibly true?  I can't make her take a HSV test to determine whether it's type 1 or type 2 but is it much more likely to be type 2 (and she's not being honest with me out of guilt) or could she be telling me the truth?  I'm going to get a test to be sure but if I'm positive, this doesnt prove that I got it from her I would assume.

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Thanks Terri.  It's been a difficult time as I now don't really trust her, quite frankly.  I think she may have HSV2.  I believe that she believes (or has convinced herself) that she has HSV1 genitally because HSV1 has less stigma than HSV2 (even though, hers is on her buttocks, not like a cold sore or something).  She says she had a test (years ago) and isn't interested in having another one.   I'm going to get tested later this week.  The fact that she didnt disclose this to me at the start of our relationship is obviously a huge issue.  I may press her to get "another" test, however, before I do that, can you help me based on the facts of our situation?  How likely is it that her version of the story is correct?  She has recurring outbreaks - every 3-6 months (once a year, perhaps) and takes valtrex to reduce the severity of the outbreak (but certainly not every day).  How likely is it that this is gential HSV1?  I have never had herpes symptoms and have never had a test for it.  I've had canker sores in my mouth over the years - never even had a real cold sore to my recollection.

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