Thanks for your question and concern. HSV is the virus which causes genital and oral herpes. HSV simply means Herpes Simplex Virus and there are two varieties of the virus. They are the HSV type 1 , which causes oral herpes and cold sores, and HSV type 2, which causes genital herpes. Both of them can be identified by visual examination, by an experienced doctor. Moreover they can be tested and identified using the fluids coming out from rashes.

However it is unfortunate to say that there are no tests available till now to determine the presence of virus accurately if there are no visible outbreaks in the body of infected person. But many people who are spreading the virus do not know whether they are spreading it because they actually don’t know whether they are infected or not. This is because, herpes virus can stay dormant in human body for many years without even causing a single outbreak. Moreover, HSV type 1 and HSV type 2 are not tested as a mandatory test along with other STD tests. The tests now available are not sufficient to find out the age of virus in you. It is simply a YES or NO test which says whether you have got the virus in you or not. Hope my answer helps. Take care.