My girlfriend has a cold sore, need help!?

I don't know if it's HSV-1 or 2. She says that she only gets them on her mouth, and that it has been a few years since she has had one.
I know that it is transmitable if there is a sore present, but what about if there is not - during these long periods of latency? Is it possible to transmit if there are no visible or noticeable sores?
Even if they are careful, is it possible for a couple to be together for a long period of time without the virus ever being transmitted, either orally or genitally? Or am I just paranoid? Thanks

If it is in her mouth then chances are it is HSV-1. Only about 3-5% of oral herpes is caused by type 2. You have every right to be concerned about your health, but in this case it is probably a bit overly cautious.

Your girlfriend was honest with you. That is far more than you can expect from most. 90% of the population ends up with herpes type 1. If you think you have never been with someone who has it, you are kidding yourself. Most people acquire it as a child through non-sexual activity. In fact, unless you have tested negative for it, you probably already have it as well. Before you get too worried, you should have a type specific blood test done, and find out what your status is. If you already have it, then you have nothing to worry about. Chances of getting it on two locations is extremely unlikely beyond your initial exposure.

If you are negative, then you do need to be aware that you can catch it. You can get it in your mouth or your genitals. She does not need to have an obvious cold sore to be contagious. Just remember that it is just a minor virus. We almost all end up with it at some point. There is a lot more to your girlfriend than her herpes status.

dun need to be scare if you don't do oral sex
RELAX it's only a cold sore! what are you trying to imply about your gf?
i get cold sores from time to time and so does my wife!
i have suffered with them since childhood so do not make those implications
just avoid oral sex from the very first sign of an outbreak as it is possible to transmit it to the genitals
Andy
You wont get it unless you kiss her or she performs oral sex on you when she has an outbreak. As soon as she starts feeling itchy on her lip even before the blisters appear, stop kissing and you will be fine. Yes I know couples, of which one parner has it and the other never got it.
andy t is right, over 50% of americans already built up an immunity to hsv-1, b/c we've developed cold sores when we're younger, i get cold sores here and there, does that mean it's herpes? absolutely not, everybody gets it every once in awhile, just like canker sores in your mouth, everybody gets'em, sometimes people get 2-3 of'em at a time, no need to stress.
if she only gets them on her mouth it is probably HSV-1... it is not transmittable if u can not see it. i have cold sores (HVS-1) and when ever i get them my boyfriend & i dont kiss & dont have oral sex. i wash my hands all the time (so i dont spread it 2 other places in my body) & am careful. so dont b worried...just b safe & its ok 2 b paraniod cause my boyfriend was @ 1st.
My mother gets coldsores and my father does not. They have been married for 33 years.
Also, my neighbor has been with her husband for 11 years and she's never transmitted it to her husband or her daughter. My boyfriend and I kiss all the time. He gets coldsores and I was afraid I would get them. But after talking to my Mom and neighbor, I feel better.