if my symtoms go away can i have unprotected sex without infecting my partner?

NO

You can use a condom but it is not 100% effective in the prevention of passing on the virus.

Herpes is a skin on skin contact virus. Theres lots of bare skin that a condom does not cover.

What you need to remember is that, for all intensive purposes, you are considered "contagious" at all times. This isn't 100% correct - you are contagious during periods of asymptomatic shedding (no symptoms but the virus is active). However, you can't tell when that is happening, so you essentially have to assume it's happening all the time.

There is no 100% effective way of preventing the spread of the virus. Not even abstinence, because it can be spread via oral sex, touching etc. - anything skin on skin.

It won't ruin your sex life - you just need to be careful and informed. The chances of spreading the virus when you aren't showing symptoms are actually very low - but as California says, you CAN'T assume you aren't contagious.