I learned cold sores are caused by herpes. is it the same forms as genital herpes?

Can be type 1 or 2: Cold sores on or near the lips are due to recurrence of herpes type 1 or 2. Herpes viruses, after the initial infection, live in a person's nerves and travel down the nerves to the surface to form blisters that break open, spreading more virus. Type 1 is more common on the lips, and type 2 more common on the genitals. With people engaging in oral sex, either type can be in one or both locations.

Kinda: Cold sores & genital herpes are generally from different forms of the virus, but you can find either virus type in the mouth or on the genitals. Usually type 1 is oral and type 2 is genital, but if you use a slight bit of imagination, i'm sure you can figure out how a genital lesion could be transmitted to the mouth and vice verse.

Yes: The infection and lesions can occur anyplace.

Usually, H. Simplex: Type 1 causes infection in the oral cavity and type 2 in the genital area. Oro-genital contact can spread them to the opposite area. The viruses are closely related but not the same.