Is the cold sore virus the same as genital herpes virus?

Yes.: The virus you are referring to is called herpes simplex virus (hsv). There are 2 main types: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is more commonly associated with cold sores and type 2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes. The virus is transmitted via direct contact with the sores of someone who is already infected with it. There is currently no known cure for hsv infections.

Herpes simplex: There are two serological types of this virus. It was formerly felt that type1 produced oral and lip cold sores and that type2 produced genital herpes, but with oral sex so common both types can be found in both places. The virus is essentially the same, but the serotypes are different. There is also some difference in their capacity to produce central nervous system disease.