A kiss is an important component of a love relationship. Such interaction is inherent in individuals of different cultures. It is found among representatives of the fauna. Close contact of this kind allows not only to show emotions, but also to feel the partner’s taste and smell, to evaluate it using these characteristics.
It is known that salivary fluid contains many bacteria. Microorganisms are also in the oral cavity. What diseases are transmitted through a kiss?
Common misconceptions
With such close contact, a mutual exchange of microbes occurs. This helps to strengthen the body's defenses. Can bacteria in the mouth of one person harm the health of another? What diseases are transmitted through a kiss? There are a number of misconceptions about this. Here are some of them:
- With a kiss, you can become infected with cancerous pathology. The misconception that such contact can cause infection with this disease makes many treat cancer patients with disgust. Do not be afraid of infection. Cancer is not a viral pathology.
- Many people know that HIV cannot be transmitted through a kiss. However, if partners have mechanical damage to the mucous membranes, there is still a risk of infection.
- Hepatitis C infection also cannot occur with such contact.The disease occurs when the blood of an infected person enters the body of a healthy person.
- Contrary to popular belief, gonorrhea is not transmitted through a kiss. Infection occurs only during sexual intercourse.
So what diseases are transmitted through a kiss?
Dangerous ailments
Here is a list of diseases you can get:
- Flu.
- Infectious mononucleosis. What is this disease? The causative agent of the disease is Epstein virus - Barr. The microbe is called the scientists who discovered it, and is a herpes of the fourth type. Most often, the pathology develops in minors, but adults also sometimes become infected. The disease is transmitted through saliva, when coughing, when using common linen, hygiene items. It is not surprising that the disease of kisses is often found in dormitories, camps, boarding schools.
- Herpes of the first type.The causative agent provokes the appearance of bubbles on the surface of the lips and nose. The infection is not as harmless as it might seem at first glance.
- Syphilis.
- Meningococcal infection.
In addition, recent studies have shown that with a kiss, infection with bacteria that cause ulcers in the digestive tract can occur.
Epstein Virus - Barr
This pathogen provokes a serious illness. Its symptoms are in many ways similar to the symptoms of other ailments. Therefore, people who are not doctors find it difficult to recognize mononucleosis.
What is this disease? What is it characterized by? Manifestations of mononucleosis occur about a month after infection. Therefore, a person does not feel a deterioration in well-being and is not aware of the presence of a virus in his body. Pathology causes many symptoms.
Manifestations
The disease of kisses leads to disruption of the work of various organs. As its main features include:
- Prolonged and persistent fever, fever.
- Fatigue, pain in the head.
- Muscle and joint discomfort.
- Unpleasant sensations in the throat.
- The formation of white plaque on the surface of the glands.
- Dizziness.
- An increase in the volume of the lymph glands, a feeling of discomfort while touching them.
- Yellow color of the skin (due to the presence of this symptom, mononucleosis is often confused with inflammation of the liver).
- Rashes on the body (occur against the background of antibiotic use).
- An increase in the volume of the spleen and liver.
Knowing which diseases are transmitted through a kiss, as well as the fact that mononucleosis is on their list, one should beware of close contacts with an infected person.
Oral mucosal inflammation
This ailment is called stomatitis. There are several types of pathogens that provoke pathology. It is most often found in babies. However, adults are also sometimes ill. Can I get stomatitis through a kiss? The answer to this question depends on the type of pathology.
Types of disease
Inflammation of the oral mucosa is divided into the following forms:
- Viral type of pathology. In this case, infection often occurs when using common dishes, in the process of coughing, sneezing, using common objects.
- Bacterial variety. Such an ailment is dangerous for the child's body. In adults, infection occurs with close contact with a sick baby if he coughs or sneezes.
- Fungal type. This pathogen can enter the body of an adult when using common cutlery, plates, cups.
- Aphthous type of inflammation. This ailment is found mainly in babies. It is not contagious.
- Traumatic type. Pathology develops as a result of mechanical damage to the oral mucosa. There is no danger of infection.
With kisses, you can get infected only with the viral form of the disease. The risk group includes individuals with poor functioning of the immune system.
HIV infection
Not everyone has an idea of what diseases are transmitted through a kiss. And if one of the partners suffers from the immunodeficiency virus, the other begins to doubt that this form of interaction is permissible in this case. How high is the risk of infection?
According to statistics, the only similar case occurred in the United States. One of the partners bit another, and the pathogen entered the bloodstream. The salivary fluid of patients contains a small number of dangerous microorganisms. This fact makes the infection process almost impossible. However, if mechanical damage is present in the oral cavity, it is advisable to refuse kisses with an HIV-positive person.
It should be remembered that close contacts are permissible only with that partner you can trust. If the patient and his partner know each other well, this allows you to protect yourself from possible HIV infection.
Herpes
There are several types of this virus. One of them is characterized by the appearance of bubbles on the surface of the skin. The process is accompanied by a feeling of itching, pinching. After about three to four days, the rash becomes dry. A crust forms on its surface. Bubbles do not cause scarring. The microorganism that causes pathology is transmitted through common accessories (linen, cutlery) and in the process of sneezing, coughing. It is contained in biomaterial (semen, blood, urine, saliva). This means that herpes infection can occur during a kiss. Infection can provoke complications. It is especially dangerous for expectant mothers and people with poor immune systems. Women with herpes often transmit the disease to the baby during gestation and delivery.
How to protect yourself from possible infection?
Kissing in itself is a pleasant process. It delivers positive emotions to both partners, helps strengthen relationships. However, in the process of such contact, the transmission of dangerous diseases can occur. How to avoid this? The best way to prevent this is to refuse close contact with unfamiliar people. You should kiss with the person with whom you managed to establish a fairly long, close and trusting relationship. This precaution will keep you healthy.