Hi.. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. As per your querycold sores caused by herpes virus infection presents as small clusters of fluid filled blisters over the lips and corners of mouth and they have an activity period of approximately two weeks so the sores will remain for about two weeks or even less and then they will gradually start resolving.. Cold sores can also cause dry and chapped lips.. On the other hand chapped lips presents as dry, cracked,scaly and irritated lip and can occur due to long standing dehydration, excessive sun exposure, dry climate etc.. As your partner has a history of having cold sores over the lips,even in the absence of active lesions there can be presence of small number of virus over the skin surface and can be transmitted to other person via intimate contact.. Therefore you should consult a Dermatologist and in case if you have only chapped lips then applying Petroleum jelly or bees wax containing lip balm, drinking plenty of water, avoiding licking or sucking the lips, avoiding sun exposure and applying aloevera gel over the lips, and doing cold compresses will help.. In case if herpes is suspected confirmation can be done by getting investigations done like Viral culture and antigen-antibody reaction. If it is found positive antiviral medicines like Acyclovir oral and topical can be advised.. Hope this information helps.. Thanks and regards.. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.