I took antivirals daily for a year and then stopped just to see how I would be without them. My outbreaks do come every month because of my period, but I just take the antivirals twice a day til it's cleared up (so usually about a week). I also take L-LYSINE (1000mg) daily and when there's an outbreak I'll increase the dosage to about 2000-3000 mg. There's also a pill on Amazon called H rescue I belive with lysine, oregano oil, zinc and vitamin c in it. Really good product if you wanna go the more natural route instead of antivirals. For outbreaks I put tea tree oil/water mixed on the sore. Sometimes I'll spray a little with hazel on it too just to dry it up so it can heal faster lol idk if that actually is the reason it goes away so research that. This virus really goes off of your immune system so get enough rest when you can, eat/drink right and keep stress levels low. And you can always take antivirals daily for as long as you want, there are people that have been in it for years. I would take a break every once in a while just because but do your research and tall to your doctor (even tho some Dr's aren't too knowledgeable about herpes, unfortunately).

As for your partner, use condoms and dental dams. Antivirals lower the transmission rate greatly too. But you can have a great sex life even on the natural route (I know because I'm on the natural route currently) & once you learn your prodrome symptoms, you'll be able to better manage the outbreaks and know when one is coming.

Antivirals and condoms can help. Avoiding foods that trigger you too will help! Have a Google at foods that are high in L-lysine and low in Arginine 😄 there’s many articles like this - https://quantumhealth.com/blog/post/kiss-your-cold-sore-goodbye