[Margaret Pilkington]

With respect to the herpes virus, you are right about them being different strains.....they are HSV 1 and HSV 2.......you are right also about them always being present in your system....however, you only pass them on when the virus is active......that is, when you have a cold sore.......and you can get HSV 1 below the belt so to speak, and HSV 2 above the belt.
In fact the cold sore that you get on your lip id more dangerous than the one you get in the lingerie dept, as the virus can retreat along nerve roots and cause herpetic encephalitis....you can also transfer the virus to your eyes....so careful handwashing is a must.