[Massdebator]

Herpes Simplex 1 is typically contracted as oral herpes, but can be contracted as genital herpes as well. HSV1 in the genitals is often less severe than HSV2. The same goes for HSV2, in that one can contract HSV2 as oral herpes, but the resulting outbreaks will be less severe than those of HSV1 as oral herpes in many cases. One can also self-inoculate during shedding or outbreaks, which basically means spreading the virus to other parts of one's own body. The chances of successful (but unfortunate) self inoculation are low, however, as are contracting one herpes virus after already having contracted the other.

That being said, I think it's important to note that I am not a medical professional, and I hope that Brandye will correct me if I'm wrong on any point. Research on HSV is still not completely conclusive, and the medical community is learning new stuff about it everyday. That doesn't mean you can afford to take risks by being some kind of maverick. Not everyone can be John Wayne.