[Moses]

There is huge variability in host response to HSV. It is likely due to the quality of an individuals immune response to that particular virus.

When you first get infected, lets say it was with a small viral load, maybe exposure to a partner who was shedding the virus but did not have a full-blown outbreak. Lets also say that by pure luck, the first immunoglobulins you produced in response to the virus "fit" the virus particularly well and are very effective at neutralizing the virus. Although you have been infected and could infect others, you may never have an obvious outbreak.

There is HUGE variation is host response to HSV infection. Some never get symptoms, some get frequent recurring and somewhat debilitating outbreaks. Others will be infected for decades before showing signs of infection then later in life under extreme physical stress and perhaps immune suppression, they get a classic HSV outbreak even though the primary infection was decades earlier.