Woman claims buying Chick-fil-A chicken can trigger herpes

A TikToker is going viral after claiming that ordering chicken at Chick-fil-A can “trigger” herpes flare-ups due to being cooked in a certain type of oil.

Social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have become places for users to share life hacks, food tips, and more.

For TikTok creator Stephanie Lynn Boyd, the social media platform has become a place for her to share own personal journey of living with herpes since 2017. Her bio on the app states that she is TikTok’s “herpes bestie.”

Boyd further utilizes her platform to share how those who also suffer from the STI can avoid flare-ups or triggers of their own.

In a recent video, Boyd claimed that ordering chicken at Chick-fil-A can “trigger” herpes flare-ups and encouraged her viewers to hold back on ordering the item when going to the fast food chain.

“If you have herpes, and you like to go to Chick-fil-A and get any of their fried chicken, I just found out that it’s fried in peanut oil,” she explained to her audience. 

“And peanuts can be a trigger for people to have a herpes outbreak. However, the rest of the chicken restaurant’s food is safe. The fries are fine, the grilled nuggies are fine—all of those things. But the chicken specifically—that’s fried peanut oil, cut it out,” she said.

The initial video, which has amassed over 3.5 million views on TikTok, was filled with a variety of comments from users. While some were appreciative of the tip, others took a different approach and instead made crude jokes about the topic.

As a result, Boyd made a follow-up video, calling out these inappropriate comments. “People, just ask people that you want to sleep with about their sexual health,” she began. 

“If you’re so worried about catching herpes, or any other STI—the best way to prevent that is to have a conversation.”

At the time of writing, Boyd is yet to release a part 3 video in regards to the topic and Chick-fil-A is also yet to respond to her now-viral video.