, obtaining laboratory confirmation is also important. Testing is most accurate if done during the initial outbreak when there are active sores present. Testing will let you know which type of genital herpes virus you are carrying. One of these virus types leads to many more recurrent outbreaks and is much more contagious than the other. Getting tested during your initial outbreak will also let you know if you have acquired this virus recently or some time ago. If you do not get tested during this first outbreak then it will no longer be possible to know when you acquired the infection.