Yes, it is possible to pass herpes (HSV-1 or HSV-2) to a partner even if you are not experiencing an active outbreak. This is known as viral shedding, where the virus can be spread through skin-to-skin contact even when there are no visible symptoms present. It's important to communicate openly with your partner about your herpes status and take necessary precautions such as using condoms or antiviral medications prescribed by healthcare professionals to reduce the risk of transmission.