My understanding is that the (old?) test is sensitive to both HSV1 (oral cold sores) as well as HSV2 (genital) because their protein coats are similar... so if

My understanding is that the (old?) test is sensitive to both HSV1 (oral cold sores) as well as HSV2 (genital) because their protein coats are similar... so if you have cold sores you'll test positive even if you don't have HSV2. Of course their effect on the brain could be similar... although more than 50% of people have HSV1.