WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has gone viral for her comments about having herpes on her ‘Show Me Something’ podcast.
In the latest episode of the podcast, it took Cunningham only 24 seconds to show her co-host West Wilson her cold sore.
The WNBA icon believes she contracted herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) after passing around a ChapStick at a youth basketball tournament.
Wilson’s stunned reaction was iconic as she put her face incredibly close to the camera to show it.
She said, “I’m telling you, I used someone’s ChapStick and I got a herpy. I have herpes.”
Wilson responded to the Indiana Fever star, “I couldn’t see it, now it’s so there. F**k.”
Cunningham gave some wise medical advice to the audience, adding, “So, don’t kiss me.”
Wilson then answered with a wisecrack, “Don’t blame it on someone’s chapstick, it’s okay.”
A fun exchange turned into a lesson for the audience about the stigma behind herpes and how easily misinformed people can be on the virus.
Cunningham stated that cold sores can also be transmitted in a non-sexual manner via saliva or shared utensils.
Citing CDC statistics, she added that that nearly half of all Americans between the ages of 14 and 49 years old have HSV-1.
She is often the source of good advice on topics such as relationships on the ‘Show Me Something’ podcast.
Fans on social media had a mixed reaction to this episode, however. One said on X, “Exactly what the world needed on their timeline today.
“Good lord, Sophie Cunningham! Hearing ‘I have herpes’ while proudly showing off the canker sore was not on my bingo card today.”
Another fan said, “It’s kinda crazy how uneducated people are about what herpes is & have no idea that they most likely have it lol.”
