Why do many more people list genital HSV-1 rather than oral HSV-2 as there STD. The number of people with genital HSV-1 should be equal to the number of people with oral HSV-2

According to the Center of Disease Control about 16% of sexually active adults carry the HSV-2 antibodies. Studies proven up to 80% of sexually active adults in the USA carry the HSV-1 antibodies. Some people who get an oral herpes outbreak assume they have oral HSV-1. The only way a person can be certain what strain of herpes he/she has is by having a swab test done on an active herpes sore. Many people who have herpes outbreak take the herpes blood test. Seem HSV-1 is so common the herpes blood test results are much more likely to come back positive for HSV-1 rather than HSV-2. 

Seem HSV-1 is so common a person who has a genital herpes outbreak may take the herpes blood test. The herpes blood test may come back positive for HSV-1. Seem the person tested positive for HSV-1 that person may believe he/she has genital HSV-1. In reality that person may carry the oral HSV-1 antibodies seem up to 80% of sexually active adults carry it. The human body weakens the herpes virus may people who carry the herpes antibodies don’t have a herpes outbreak. That person may really have genital HSV-2. The genital HSV-2 antibodies may not have been detected at the time of the blood test. Taking a swab test of an active herpes sores is always far more accurate than any blood test.

Answered by STD counselor at HerpesMate.com