Could someone get genital herpes this way?

When I was really young, like 6th grade, I used to get cold sores around my mouth, which were diagnosed as being due to high stress. I haven't gotten another one in about 8 years, but at the time, my mom told me never to touch my face and then touch myself anywhere else because I could give myself genital herpes.
I didn't question it, and just figured it was true, but now thinking about it,,,,, is that really possible? Wouldn't they be two completely different viruses? Or can you actually give yourself genital herpes?

Cold sores are triggered by stress but they are the same thing as oral herpes (HSV1). They can lie dormant in your nervous system for long periods of time and then be triggered by certain things.
It is possible but not too likely since the virus dies quickly once it is away from the body. You would have to touch your cold sore then immediately after touch your genitals. You would give yourself cold sores on your genitals not necessarily genital herpes (HSV2). You can't give your self the genital herpes (HSV2) unless you have sex with some one that has genital herpes.
I have oral and genital herpes but I didn't give them to myself.
They are not completely different they are different strains of the same herpes virus. One causes cold sores the other caused genital herpes.

They are two different viruses, HSV I and HSV II. However, you can get either one in either place -- in other words, you can have HSV I in your genital area and you can have HSV II break out in your facial area, even though HSV I is considered oral herpes and HSV II is considered genital herpes.