AshSexualityEd

Hi day_by_day, I'm Ashley. I have a little background in the public health aspect of HSV so I'm going to try to answer your question as best I can. Equivocal is only negative if three months have passed since exposure to a partner with HSV. I would get the igg test in another three months to know for sure, but from what you're describing, it sounds like your partner almost certainly is positive which is a reasonable indicator that you may have been exposed. I also agree with the above poster about the Western Blot test. You can call University of Washington Virology Research Clinic at (206)720-4340 and ask to speak to a clinician about herpes.

Hi Kaybee, I am also a survivor and I also got herpes from my attacker. I know what it's like to feel lost and angry. This forum has been incredibly helpful and powerful for me and has helped me heal a lot. Having a community of supportive people has made all the difference in the world. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! I hope that you find the forum as powerful as I have - it sounds like it's already helping. :-) ~Ashley

This is such a powerful story. Thank you for sharing it! I am in awe of the incredible members of this community and I feel so proud to be part of it. You deserve all the happiness in the world and it sounds like you've found it! ~Ash

Hey everyone, I'm Ashley. I'm 26 and I've had herpes since 2009. I've finally accepted and embraced it. I feel like a new woman! I found a loving and supportive partner who did not (and still does not) have H and he has helped me feel comfortable in my own skin again. I'm in the greater Philadelphia PA area and I'd be happy to talk to anyone who is struggling with feeling "unlovable" or "unsexy." I'm a sex-positive sexuality educator and I'm happy to share support, hugs, information, and laughs with any and all!

That's an excellent point, Adrial! It may actually be problematic that this woman was granted such a large settlement in "pain and suffering" because it further reinforces the stigma that herpes is a life-ruining disease, rather than an annoying skin condition that happens to affect the genitals. I think we should definitely talk about it with partners in the interest of informed consent. However, despite the appeal of retribution in the form of legal recourse, I think this line of thinking is ultimately going to hurt those with herpes, not help. ~Ash

This is wonderful. I'm planning to take them to work (Planned Parenthood) and hand them out to patients. They are so dejected and horrified when they receive a positive diagnosis. This will be really helpful for them! ~Ashley