I found out today that I may have genital herpes. I am just waiting for the test results, but my doctor says she is pretty sure I have it, if not positive.

I have only been with one person, my boyfriend. He has never shown any signs of having herpes, so he doesn't know if he has it.

I have a lot of questions, if anyone can help.

Is it possible for my boyfriend to have had just a cold sore, not herpes, and given me herpes that way?

Is it possible for him to have had it for over a year and not known?

How else could I have gotten it if he doesn't have it?

What is the difference between the two types?

Please let me know if you can help at all... I am sure I will have more questions.
Thanks

You can check out WebMD for some good information concerning herpes. You'll learn it's a very common virus. Also, Check out Terri Warren's Herpes Handbook for some great information.

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, is the herpes virus. Usually the norm is oral herpes type 1, and genital herpes type 2. However, you can have either type in either location (oral or genital). 30% of new genital herpes cases are type 1 because oral sex is so popular.

Most people are unaware they have the herpes virus, you can go years and years (even 10+)without knowing.

Make sure you get bloodtested if you think you have the virus, the proper test is an IgG type specific blood test. Skip the older IgM test, the results are worthless, and just an added cost passed on to you. If your results are negative you should retest in the 3-4 months as a confirmation.

Some quick facts:
60-80% of the population has oral herpes, also know as cold sores or fever blisters, many receiving it as a child when getting kissed from a family member. 30% of children have oral herpes when they enter kindergarten. 1 in 4 adults has genital herpes, yet 90% don't know it cause the symptoms are so mild they go unnoticed or misdiagnosed. 70% of new infections come from partners who were unaware they were infected.