Can herpes 1 in and under my nose have had aneffect on my brain and cause memory impairment and concentration problems for the last 5 years? tests?

No: Type i herpes can cause a fatal brain infection (hsv-1 encephalitis) unless it is treated aggressively with IV acyclovir. To have problem 5 years from an infection points to other potential causes, . A viral culture from the lesion and a hsv-1 pcr from the spinal fluid will help diagnose this illness, and help clarify that your diagnosis is from another virus such as hsv-2 (aka mollaret's).