Yes, herpes can lay dormant in your system for quite a few years.

Yeah, I got oral herpes from my now husband years ago. My first cold sore was so bad it went to my throat. I was getting them maybe once or twice a year. I haven't had a cold sore on my lip in years but now have them in my nose. I don't know how it spread but it's very contagious once it's out. I currently am sick with a cold with the sores in my nose. It's annoying and painful. It takes them even longer to heal due to being in a moist environment in the mucious membrane So if I were you, stay healthy, exercise and eat healthy and you won't see anything. It's when your immune system gets weak and you aren't taking care of yourself is when they pop out. Good luck