Some people have one herpes outbreak, then are never bothered again. The virus stays inactive forever. Other people have recurrences. The virus becomes active again and the sores come back. There also usually isn t as much discomfort.
Different people have different patterns.
Right now no one knows why. One person might have one outbreak a year. Someone else might have 12 or more. One person might have no pain or discomfort. Another might have the same symptoms as the first time outbreak.