I contracted Herpes 35 years ago, and I have not had an outbreak for more than 25 years.  I experienced 2 or 3 severe outbreaks in the first two/three years and then no noticeable outbreaks for decades.   I've had several long-term relationships in the past 35 years, and to my knowledge, I've not passed this STI to any of my partners.  

Thank you

Do you know if you have HSV 1 or HSV 2 in the genital area?  If  you were diagnosed 35 years ago and no outbreaks for decades, you may have HSV 1 genitally, which recurs far less often and sheds far less often.  But lets assume for the moment that you have HSV 2, which is more infectious to others.  Again, if you have had no outbreaks in decades, your shedding rate is likely very low.  If you take daily antiviral medication it reduces the risk of transmission by about half.  If your partner uses condoms, that reduce the rate by about 65%.  The base rate is 4% per year, so you can see if both things are done, and with you being infected for so long, I think the risk of transmission is exceedingly low.

Terri

To follow-up questions.  In 2018 I requested a test for the virus because it had been so long since my last outbreak, and the test indicated the presence of HSV 2 antibodies.  I asked my doctor about taking daily antiviral medication, and she said that I was not a candidate for such medication because I don't have six outbreaks per year.  Is this correct?  Is there a daily antiviral medication that would be appropriate for my situation?  Is the base rate of 4% for a woman to infect a man using condoms? 

That is absolutely NOT correct - that's a very, very old guideline and was in place before we knew about asymptomatic viral shedding.  these are safe and very effective medications and I think you taking them will help to make your partner more comfortable.

The 4% if without condoms or antiviral meds.

Terri