Diseases One Can Contact Through Kissing

Love is in the air
Germs are everywhere
Kissers beware
Of infections you can share.

     We know that kisses of passion can lead to one thing or another.  But do you know that there       are many infections that can be spread through mere kissing alone? Find out......

Viruses One Can Contact Through Kissing

    1. Glandular fever: also known as the kissing disease. Glandular fever is the common term for a viral infection called infectious mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus is spread through saliva and infection occurs through contact.

     2. Herpes infection: Viruses that are considered part of the herpes family include Epstein-Barr, varicella-zoster (causes chickenpox) and herpes simplex (causes cold sores). Herpes simplex virus can be spread through direct contact with the virus when kissing. Herpes is most easily spread to others when the blisters are forming or have erupted. The virus can be ‘shed’ (spread to others) from the site of blisters even when they have healed. Chickenpox is easily spread from person to person by direct contact, droplets or airborne spread.

     3. Hepatitis B: kissing may also transmit this virus, although blood has higher levels of this virus than saliva. Infection can occur when infected blood and saliva come into direct contact with someone else’s bloodstream or mucous membranes. (Mucous membranes line various body cavities including the mouth and nose.) A person is more likely to be infected when kissing if they have open sores in or around the mouth.

     4. Warts: warts in the mouth can be spread through kissing, especially if there are areas of recent trauma.

     5. Colds: also known as upper respiratory tract infections. Many different viruses can cause the common cold. Colds are thought to be spread by direct contact with the virus. You could catch the cold from airborne droplets or by direct contact with secretions (fluids and mucous) from the infected person’s nose and throat.

       

     Bacterial One Can Contact Through Kissing

    1. Meningococcal disease: this is a potentially life-threatening condition which includes meningitis, inflammation of the membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord, and septicaemia. These bacteria can be spread either through direct contact or via droplets. Studies show that, with respect to kissing, only deep kissing seems to be a risk factor.

      2. Tooth decay: the bacteria that cause tooth decay aren’t found in the mouths of newborn babies. A baby’s mouth must be colonized with infected saliva, which can be passed by a kiss on the lips.

Ways To Minimize Infection While Kissing

1. Avoid kissing when you or the other person is sick.

2. Avoid kissing anyone on the lips when you, or they, have an active cold sore, warts or ulcers around the lips or in the mouth.

3. Maintain good oral hygiene.

4. cough and sneeze into a hanky, if you have a cold.

5. See your doctor about immunizations. Vaccines are available to prevent some infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, hepatitis B and group C meningococcal infection.

It’s not all doom and gloom. Research into passionate kissing has uncovered many valuable health benefits of kissing.