There Is No Cure for Herpes or HPV: So Why Are So Many Wellness Influencers Selling Them?
From spam comments to wellness grifters, the dangerous intersection of stigma and misinformation
“I was cured of herpes in just three weeks!” These spam comments flood my social media posts daily. Almost anytime I post about herpes or any other sexually transmitted infection (STI), these fraudulent claims appear, promising miracle cures that dispute scientific fact.
Over the years, social media platforms have provided various tools to combat misinformation—word filters, comment deletions, and the classic block button. Yet TikTok remains particularly challenging. No matter how many word combinations I limit, these wellness grifters find new ways to promote their "cures" to my audience.
A recent study of popular STI content on TikTok found that 78% of videos about treatments contained incorrect information. Among these, nearly half were completely inaccurate, yet these videos often reach hundreds of thousands of viewers.
The wellness industry’s exploitation of STI stigma goes beyond spam comments. From “miracle” diets to “natural” supplements, these false promises prey on vulnerable people seeking solutions to a very stigmatized infection and experience.
When Anti-Science Goes Mainstream
A recent USA Today article exposed yet another fraudulent “cure” for the human papillomavirus (HPV), highlighting how widespread this dangerous misinformation has become. This rise in pseudoscience mirrors the increasing influence of anti-vaccine rhetoric, often championed by public figures who undermine trust in evidence-based medicine.
The timing of this exposé coincided with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearing as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). His supporters cheer in hopes of a healthier America while shunning public health and medical professionals who have dedicated their careers to evidence-based medicine.
RFK Jr.’s own cousin, Caroline Kennedy, put it bluntly in a searing letter to senators before his HHS Secretary confirmation hearing: "Bobby preys on the desperation of parents of sick children, vaccinating his own kids while building a following, hypocritically discouraging other parents from vaccinating theirs." This predatory pattern extends beyond vaccines to other public health issues.
When questioned during his confirmation hearing about his stance on the HPV vaccine, RFK Jr. revealed the dangerous extent of his anti-science views. When Senator Patty Murray pressed him about his claim that the HPV vaccine was "dangerous and defective" and "actually increases the risk of cervical cancer," he refused to give a direct answer. Even more alarming was his assertion that "no loving parents would allow their daughter to receive this vaccine."
HPV and Herpes: Separating Medical Facts from Myths
HPV is so common that most sexually active people will get at least one type during their lifetime. While many HPV infections clear on their own, some strains can persist and potentially cause more severe health problems, including cancer. Herpes is another common STI, with over 1 in 5 adults globally living with genital herpes, or approximately 846 million people.
Despite what many wellness influencers claim, there's no cure for herpes, and no quick fix for persistent HPV infections. We can manage herpes effectively with antivirals and self-care, and prevent many HPV-related cancers through screenings and vaccination, but anyone promising miracle cures for these viruses is selling false hope.
Why False Cures Find Their Audience
When faced with these hard medical realities, it's easy to see why some people turn to alternative answers. The same pattern of misinformation that leads someone to reject well-established vaccine science creates fertile ground for fraudulent STI "cures" to flourish. When public figures with large platforms dismiss medical expertise, they make it easier for wellness grifters to prey on vulnerable people seeking solutions for conditions like herpes and HPV.
So why do these falsified cures and claims find a receptive audience? The answer lies at the intersection of stigma, fear, and hope. When someone receives an STI diagnosis, they often face not just physical symptoms, but shame, isolation, and fear about their future relationships. The current medical reality that these viruses have no cure can feel devastating.
I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of that diagnosis. No matter what a provider says, it often feels like it’s not enough. It’s either too isolating, too clinical, too stigmatizing, or too non-specific for the situation. I found myself searching for hours and hours about my infection and what it would mean for my future, not to mention the immediate loss of self and my self-esteem.
In such a vulnerable state, a “miracle cure” becomes incredibly appealing, no matter who is selling it. Some people become such “Google experts” on their own infection and lived experience that they feel qualified to sell their knowledge to others under the guise of wellness.
Herpes “coaches” are a great example of this. These people are often so wrapped up within stigma that they make their herpes status central to their identity and worth. Often without any formal training, medical, therapeutic, or otherwise, these people package their experience as the experience to “get over” herpes and start dating again. Like the spam commenters promising three-week herbal cures, these coaches capitalize on desperation while potentially steering people away from evidence-based treatments and support.
What makes this exploitation particularly insidious is how it builds on real problems within our healthcare system. Many people with STIs have experienced medical stigma, dismissive healthcare providers, or inadequate support. These legitimate grievances create openings for alternative "cures" to seem more credible, even when they lack any scientific basis.
This problem extends far beyond spam comments and wellness coaches. As TikTok increasingly becomes a primary source for health information, misleading claims about STIs spread rapidly, making it harder for people to find reliable care when they need it most.
Until we address both the systemic healthcare issues and the stigma surrounding STIs, wellness grifters and anti-science influencers will continue finding vulnerable people to exploit. The answer isn't in miracle cures or wellness coaches, but in building better support systems, accessible sex education, and maintaining trust in evidence-based medicine.