A WOMAN’S fun time out turned into a night she’d come to regret forever after she claims a microphone at a karaoke bar gave her herpes.
The unnamed woman from Zhejiang, , revealed on Douyin – China’s version of – that she visited a karaoke lounge in 2017 and contracted the virus after getting too close to the mic.
According to her post, she noticed blisters forming around her lips following the night out.
She said the blisters were “extremely swollen, painful, and itchy”;, but didn’t think too much of them as they subsided after she took .
However, the blisters resurfaced again, and it was only then she found out she had herpes.
She’s certain she contracted herpes from the microphone and decide to share her experience to warn others.
“[I have to] carry this virus for life. There is no medication available to treat it. There is only medication to relieve the pain but the symptoms are recurring,”; she said.
She added the blisters have resurfaced repeatedly around her mouth and nose for the past eight years – and started appearing on her cheek this year.
The woman didn’t reveal what type of herpes she caught.
But there are two main types – HSV-1 is the kind that causes cold sores, while HSV-2 typically causes .
There is no cure for either virus and they remain in the body for life.
Dr Crystal Wyllie atAsda Online Doctor has never encountered a case ofherpestransmission in this way before, and says catchingherpesfrom a karaoke microphone is an extremely unlikely situation given it is usually transmitted by skin-to-skin contact.
She explained: “For someone to catch oral herpes from a microphone, someone with an active would have to speak or sing very closely to the microphone – leaving saliva or virus on the surface – and someone would then have to press the same contaminated area of the mic firmly against their lips.
“This also assumes the virus has survived outside of the body (on the microphone which is extremely uncommon for HSV – the virus responsible for cold sores).”;
While the risk of catching herpes from a microphone is extremely unlikely, Dr Wyllie said if there is concern that someone with an active cold sore has used the microphone previously, you could avoid using it or wipe the microphone before use.
She added: “The most common way to catch oral herpes is direct skin-to-skin contact with someone with an active cold sore (or during their shedding phase which usually comes one to two days before before blisters show).”;
According to recent figures, it’s estimated thataround 70 per centof the UK population carries the herpes simplex virus.
This means that a significant portion of the British population is affected by this infection.
HSV-1 typically causes oral herpes, or cold sores, while HSV-2 usually causes .
However, both types can infect either the mouth or genitals.
The most common symptom of HSV-1 is a cold sore, a painful blister that appears on the lips, around the mouth, or inside the mouth.
Other symptoms can include tingling, itching, or burning sensations before the blisters appear, as well as fever, , body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
HSV-2 can manifest with a range of symptoms, fromno noticeable symptoms to recurring outbreaks of painful blisters and sores.
Initial outbreaks often involve flu-like symptoms, while recurring outbreaks tend to be less severe and shorter.
The best way to avoid HSV-1 is toavoid close contact with people who have active outbreaks, especially kissing or oral sex, and to practice good hygiene.
This includes avoiding sharing items like utensils, cups, and towels, and washing hands frequently, especially after touching a cold sore.
The most effective way to avoid HSV-2 is topractice safer sex, including consistently using condoms during all sexual activity, and avoiding sexual contact when symptoms like sores or outbreaks are present.
Reducing the number of sexual partners and getting tested for also helps.
