If you have a cold sore do herpes?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). However, having a cold sore does not necessarily mean that you have herpes. Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). While HSV-1 can cause oral herpes (cold sores), HSV-2 typically causes genital herpes.