A woman in China claims she contracted herpes simplex virus by holding a karaoke mic too close to her mouth, igniting social media panic over communal singing hygiene. Karaoke mic herpes is now trending, as germaphobes everywhere wonder: can belting out 'My Heart Will Go On' go so wrong?

Specifically, this bizarre karaoke mic herpes saga has sparked policy change: some karaoke bars in China now supply disposable mic covers and disinfectant wipes. With karaoke mic herpes dominating 2025’s viral stories, every wannabe superstar is singing with new caution.