Thanks to the times we are living in now, a lot of things that were usually never talked about are now very open for discussion, and thanks to social media, people have become more expressive (with texts, photos, and videos) of their opinions and ideas about a particular topic.

On Twitter, Herpes is trending and it is one trend that is drawing the attention on sexual health as it concerns sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Men and women alike have jumped on this trend – the images look graphic so you have been warned – and have shared personal stories as well as advice as it concerns practising safe sex and sexual activities.

Herpes is an infection caused by HSV (herpes simplex virus). This virus affects the external genitalia, anal region, mucosal surfaces, and skin in other parts of the body.

Symptoms include blisters, ulcers, pain when urinating, cold sores, and vaginal discharge.

— ???_????????? (@mustyrahl) June 16, 2020

Many have given advice on social media to people who may have questions as it concerns STIs and STDs.

The time to find out if your partner has herpes is before you get naked. You need to talk about herpes and STIs. If you are not mature enough to talk about them before getting into bed, you are not mature enough to fok. https://t.co/Fau05StgD8

— Chima Ihueze, MD (@IhuezeMD) June 16, 2020

Girls that wear one pant for a week will also be saying baby come and give me head..I won't mention names because Ibadan girls will attack me ..
Herpes is here,hide your dirty pussy.. pic.twitter.com/YuUZgmfV8D

— Ojo Samuel (@samu24255714) June 16, 2020

So there is HPV that causes genital
Warts and there is also HSV that causes herpes, and I thought HIV was the only STI…
All these other god damn viruses don't have a cure too

Y'all I ain't having sex again pic.twitter.com/vj5avo0Hwc

— ND (@wakandaigboboy) June 15, 2020

Herpes is actually real, and genital warts.

Refrain from giving people you barely know head or receiving from them .

That shit is real and will kill you?

— ??Adedoyin Debbie ? ?Wurld Stan (@DoyinSoExtra) June 15, 2020

The lady who gave that guy herpes must have gotten it from someone else. She might not even know she had the infection. ??

Please guys, for the sake of your health and if you must be sexually active, please maintain one partner. Just one partner is enough trust me.

— Mazi Olisaemeka C. ™ (@OlisaOsega) June 16, 2020

The trend also drew attention to the need to practice personal hygiene as people shared that there is no cure to the disease. Others, however, stressed that while practising safe sex is important, sex is best enjoyed when there is no caution to it. These ones were however, slammed for their choices. A few others drew attention on abstinence and the idea of monogamy in relationships and marriage.

After checking that herpes trend and one girl tells me to give her head pic.twitter.com/p0MTdkBlUb

— Uncle Bayotics (@unclebayotics) June 15, 2020

Are people aware you can get STIs from unprotected oral sex?

Herpes Simplex Virus

Chlamydia

Gonorrhoea

HPV

Syphilis

— Lidocaine ? (@trending_medic) June 8, 2020

Here’s a quick info on the Herpes Virus…

The herpes simplex virus, also known as HSV, is an infection that causes herpes. Herpes can appear in various parts of the body, most commonly on the genitals or mouth. There are two types of the herpes simplex virus.

• HSV-1: primarily causes oral herpes, and is generally responsible for cold sores and fever blisters around the mouth and on the face.
• HSV-2: primarily causes genital herpes, and is generally responsible for genital herpes outbreaks.

HSV-2 is contracted through forms of sexual contact with a person who has HSV-2. The infections are spread through contact with a herpes sore. In contrast, most people get HSV-1 from an infected person who is asymptomatic or does not have sores. HSV-1 can on the other hand can be contracted from general interactions such as: eating from the same utensils, sharing lip balm, kissing.