Oceanus

Catharine101 is right, but I will add: HSV-2 prefers living below the waist and HSV-1 prefers living above the waist. So when one type infects an area it prefers less it has a harder time thriving, thus fewer OBs occur overall and less severe. Usually the HSV-2 goes away with time after awhile of OBs on the face, is my understanding. Apparently since you both have suffered from HSV-1 orally for years you needn't worry about getting it genitally, too (I'm only referring to type 1, as you can still contract type-2 genitally). My opinion is that you are correct about the stress causing you both to have more severe OBs. Stress can sure run you down and hamper your immune system! If I were you both, I would take extra vitamins and look after your overall health as the cold sores are a sign from your bodies that you need to listen to. High doses of L-lysine supplements are helpful too for oral herpes; they have an L-lysine ointment you can buy in healthfood stores too that I've seen. Oh yeah, I think it's just HSV-1 acting up because of the stress you're both under.