In the past genital herpes was most often caused by HSV type 2 (HSV-2), but it is increasingly caused by HSV type 1 (HSV-1), the virus that causes common cold sores. 3-5 For unknown reasons, HSV-2 prefers to infect the genital regions. There are people with HSV-2 on their face, but this is very rare.6 HSV infection usually occurs on mucous membranes and thinner skin (anal, genital and perianal regions, and areas around the mouth and nose). Herpes symptoms may occur, however, anywhere a nerve fibre supplies sensation. It is not uncommon for genital HSV sores to appear on the buttocks or thighs because the buttock nerves and the genital nerves are close to one another.