<p>Can a positive STD (sexually transmitted disease) result, be a positive thing in your life?&nbsp;</p> <p>Sam Franchell has taken a life-changing diagnosis and used it as the impetus to create an incredible podcast to help those dealing with a recent diagnosis of the HSV virus. Most of us may have heard about 'sexually transmitted disease's' but do you know what is stigma and what is truth? Did you know that you can become a carrier of the HSV virus from a family member kissing you or a cold sore? Even children can be carriers! How about how to live with and treat the symptoms? Not forgetting tips on how to disclose to a potential partner - Sam's got it all covered!</p> <p>Sam Franchell is the host and creator of '<strong>Herpes</strong>: <strong>Positively Positive' </strong>a podcast about &nbsp;HSV-1 and HSV-2 - otherwise known as Herpes. An incredibly informative tool for anyone who is faced with this diagnosis or wants to help someone who is. But more than that, Sam's story is one of hope. A young lady who wasn't given a choice about her condition, but who then went on to use her experience to help others.</p> <p><em>Sam's podcast can be found on </em><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/herpes-positively-positive/id1493903684"><em>Apple Podcasts </em></a><em>and </em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6hNNDl91S01DHauyle9qX5"><em>Spotify</em></a><em>, and she is contactable through </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/positivelypositivepodcast/"><em>Instagram</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://twitter.com/positively__sam"><em>Twitter</em></a><em> &nbsp;</em>and please do check out her <a href="https://www.herpespositivelypositive.com/">WEBSITE</a>!</p> <p>In January, <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/28-10-2015-globally-an-estimated-two-thirds-of-the-population-under-50-are-infected-with-herpes-simplex-virus-type-1">WHO</a> estimated that 417 million people aged 15-49 years have HSV-2 infection, which causes genital herpes. Taken together, the estimates reveal that over half a billion people between the ages of 15-49 years have a genital infection caused by either HSV-1 or HSV-2.</p> <p>Article in the <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/07/the-overblown-stigma-of-genital-herpes/374757/">Atlantic</a> about stigma. <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/human-herpes-virus-2">Refinery</a> article about stigma.</p>