Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
Piotr Marcinski/PhotoSpin
Kissing is a universal sign of amorous affection, wrote Huffington Post. But just how “germy” is a kiss? And are those germs good or bad?
First the bad.
With just one kiss, couples can share more than 500 different types of disease-causing germs and viruses, the Academy of General Dentistry told Examiner.com.
Bacteria and viruses in the saliva or blood of one person can be spread to another person by kissing, wrote Better Health Channel.
Here are examples of illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses that can be transmitted via kissing:
- Common cold and flu viruses can easily be transmitted through the saliva or nasal secretions of a sick person, said Examiner.com.
- Better Health Channel wrote that the herpes simplex virus can also be spread through direct contact with the virus when kissing. Everyday Health said that this family of viruses includes everything from varicella zoster, which causes chickenpox, to the energy-zapping Epstein-Barr virus, to cold sores.
- Kissing may also transmit hepatitis B. Everyday Health said although it’s more contagious with blood exposure, hepatitis B can be passed through saliva, especially when open mouth sores are involved.
- Warts in the mouth can be spread through kissing, especially if there are areas of recent trauma, wrote Better Health Channel.
- Mononucleosis, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, is called “the kissing” disease. Everyday Health said it’s carried in saliva and can be spread through kissing. LiveStrong.com said that mononucleosis can lie dormant and be passed on without the infected person ever having symptoms of the virus.
- Meningococcal disease –- a potentially life-threatening condition –- which includes meningitis, inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, and septicaemia is another disease which could be transmitted by kissing. Studies show however only deep kissing seems to be a risk factor.
It’s important to remember, while disease-causing germs can be transferred during a kiss, most won’t cause disease and the risk of serious disease is very small, reported Better Health Channel.
Examiner.com said the good news about kissing is it encourages saliva production, which helps to wash away bacteria and food particles. Saliva also protects teeth by neutralizing harmful acids.
Better Health Channel added research into passionate kissing has uncovered many valuable health benefits, including emotional bonding, stress reduction, metabolic boost, a healthier mouth and increased immunity.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk of passing on, or catching a cold or disease while kissing said Better Health Channel. Avoid kissing when sick and maintain good oral hygiene. And don’t kiss anyone with open mouth sores or lesions, wrote Huffington Post.
Sources:
Gray, Emma. "Just How 'Germy' Is A Kiss?" Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/15/kissing-germs_n_963040.html
"Kissing and your health | Better Health Channel." Home | Better Health Channel. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Kissing_and_your_health
"Mononucleosis | LIVESTRONG.COM." LIVESTRONG.COM - Lose Weight & Get Fit with Diet, Nutrition & Fitness Tools | LIVESTRONG.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/12440-mononucleosis
Nyholm, Christine. "Kissing can endanger health due to contagious germs and viruses - Chicago Environmental Health | Examiner.com." Welcome to Examiner.com | Examiner.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012.
http://www.examiner.com/article/kissing-can-endanger-health-due-to-contagious-germs-and-viruses
Stewart, Kristen. "The Germy Truth About Kissing - Cold and Flu Center - Everyday Health."Health Information, Resources, Tools & News Online - EverydayHealth.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-and-flu/the-germy-truth-about-kissing.aspx
Wilson, Tracy V. "HowStuffWorks "How Kissing Works."" HowStuffWorks "People." N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012.
http://people.howstuffworks.com/kissing5.htm
Reviewed October 18, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
Add a CommentComments
There are no comments yet. Be the first one and get the conversation started!