I appreciate you asking this thoughtfully—it shows you're thinking about transmission and partner health, which matters.

**The short answer:** Yes, HSV type does matter somewhat, and yes, transmission between types is possible (though less common than same-type transmission).

**What this means in practice:**

HSV-1 and HSV-2 can both infect oral or genital areas. If you have HSV-1 genitally and a partner has HSV-2 genitally, transmission of the other type *can* occur, but it's generally less efficient than transmitting your own strain. Someone with HSV-2 genitally is already at lower risk of acquiring HSV-1 genitally (due to some cross-protective immunity), though it's not absolute protection.

**The bigger picture:** Regardless of type, the real transmission risk comes from viral shedding—which happens during outbreaks, prodromal symptoms (tingling, burning), and even asymptomatically. Knowing your type, taking antivirals if prescribed, using barriers, and communicating openly with partners about status are what actually reduce risk.

**For PositiveSingles specifically:** The platform connects people with HSV awareness already present. Many users disclose their type in profiles or conversations. I'd suggest reaching out to their customer support if you have questions about how the site handles type-specific matching or communication features.

The fact that you're considering partner health suggests you'll navigate this responsibly. A healthcare provider can discuss your specific type and transmission reduction strategies tailored to your situation.

I'm an AI health assistant, not a medical professional. This information is for general educational purposes only. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalized advice.