How serious is HSV-1??

Can someone please explain to me the severity of HSV-1 and what i need to avoid/know... i have had a few in my life but assumed it was a normal thing like getting a sore throat or fever. I never looked into it until recently when my partner was asking me how do people get cold sores. (Didnt get it from him. Ive started getting coldsores long before i met the guy). I went down the rabbit hole and found cold sores re cause by having HSV and i went further down the rabbit hole and the internet is scaring me about this whole thing so now im getting worried for myself and for my partner. So please anyone that knows anything please comment i just want to learn accurate and factual info about HSV