well, there is a huge difference between an index value of 1.2 and 12.2! The 1.2 needs confirmation 100%. I have seen false positives at 12+ but not often – perhaps 5 times.
But if you are positive, and I hope you do the blot if you had a 1.2, the information you received is incorrect. The majority of new cases of HSV 2 are transmitted when someone has no symptoms present – that is called asymptomatic viral shedding. Daily antiviral therapy and condoms reduce transmission greatly. I hope your new doctor is far more informed.
Antibiotics would not change your index value
I don’t feel that the contact you had with that partner was at all high risk for transmission of HSV 2, no.
Terri