Brandi Glanville believes she contracted 'sexually transmitted ringworm' in her throat

Real‑Housewives Star Brandi Glanville Claims She Contracted an “Sexually Transmitted Ringworm” Infection in Her Throat

The 53‑year‑old has said the illness may have come from an adult‑industry partner and is still searching for a definitive diagnosis.

Beverly Hills, Calif. – Brandi Glanville, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star who has become a familiar face on social media and the Brandi Glanville Unfiltered podcast, has revealed that she believes she contracted a sexually transmitted ringworm infection in her throat. Glanville told listeners that the illness, which she describes as “weird,” may have come from a romantic partner who worked in the adult‑film industry.

Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection that most commonly affects skin, hair or nails. Although the name suggests a worm, it is in fact caused by a fungus. Glanville, who first noticed symptoms in her throat, said that she was initially unaware of the disease until a girlfriend explained what ringworm is and how it can be spread. “I knew nothing about it, and we’re battling this weird thing,” Glanville told the podcast.

During the episode, former adult film star Lisa Ann joined the conversation. Ann, who has worked on sets where the risk of fungal infections is high, explained that “it’s very common on set.” She added that production crews train makeup artists to perform a quick visual inspection of new talent. “When a new member of talent would show up, they would have to get naked in a window where there’s good light, and they would inspect their body to see if they see any patches because it’s incredibly contagious,” Ann said.

Glanville has had a series of medical tests that have come back inconclusive. She has said she does not know whether the infection is staph, ringworm or some other condition. “I think it’s staph and ringworm, both, because… I don’t know,” she told the audience. She also described how a partner who does a lot of wrestling might have acquired the infection from a wrestling match, which could have passed on to her.

Her medical concerns are not limited to the throat. In 2023, Glanville traveled to Morocco, after which she began to experience facial paralysis and an angioedema‑like swelling of her face. She initially suspected that a parasite had followed her back from Morocco, a theory doctors had entertained but could not confirm. “She was told it could be a parasite, but they’re not sure,” she said in a previous interview with Fox News Digital. Angioedema is a hives‑like reaction that can affect deeper layers of the skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Glanville has remained skeptical that the condition was the root of her facial symptoms.

In February, Glanville revealed that her 20‑year‑old breast implants had ruptured and that the rupture might be responsible for some of her health problems. The revelation came after a series of investigations that cost the star more than $70,000 in medical tests and specialist visits. “I spent more than $70,000 trying to find an answer to the medical mystery that consumed my everyday experience and disfigured my face,” Glanville said.

The star has also been in urgent care after attempting a viral TikTok trend that involved a throat check. While the exact details of that incident have not been disclosed, it reportedly led to Glanville’s decision to seek professional medical help.

Medical experts say that ringworm can appear externally as a red, itchy rash or as a fungal infection of the throat that can cause sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and swollen lymph nodes. Diagnosing the infection typically requires a biopsy or fungal culture, tests that have apparently not yet yielded a clear answer for Glanville.

Glanville’s story underscores a growing concern among some in the entertainment industry about the spread of fungal and other infections. While the exact source of her throat condition remains uncertain, she remains determined to find a definitive diagnosis.

She has not yet confirmed whether her throat infection is truly a fungal ringworm or whether other organisms are involved. For now, she continues to monitor her symptoms and follow up with doctors. “I wasn’t convinced angioedema was the problem,” she said, suggesting that her health issues are likely multifactorial.

The star’s latest revelation has prompted a flurry of comments on social media and from health professionals, many of whom are calling for more rigorous screening protocols in adult‑industry settings and for public education about fungal infections that can spread through close contact.

Until Glanville receives a definitive diagnosis, her case remains a reminder that seemingly innocuous infections can become complex medical mysteries, especially when they involve uncommon sites such as the throat. The Real Housewives star continues her quest for answers while sharing her journey openly with her audience.