Hi, Im fairly new to the boards and I've read a few posts regarding HSV-1 & HSV-2 because I am concerned with the difference between the two.....Ok, according to what i've read on this board so far I think its safe to say I have HSV-1 because I've been getting cold sores on the side of my lip since I was about 11 years old (Take note that i wasnt sexually active then). Now my question is, is there a big difference between having HSV-1 & HSV-2 beacause there both classified as herpes? and also I was told that cold sores/HSV-1 are very common amongst americans, is this true?? Your responses are apprecited, thanks!