The dangers of kissing

THE next time you decide to pucker up, be warned that kissing may not be the safest thing you can do. In fact there are STIs and other bugs that can be transferred via the locking of lips, some that will stay with you for life.

Gynaecologist at the Amadeo Medical Group in Spanish Town, Dr Charles Rockhead, said kissing can result in people picking up bugs like the common cold, herpes and HPV hepatitis B, among others.

“Some of them are epithelial diseases while others turn entities for the disease,” Dr Rockhead explained. “Epithelial diseases are like herpes infection and warts, those are the ones that live in the epithelial cells. They are intracellular organisms. They are virulent, meaning that they are very aggressive, and they are intracellular organisms, meaning that they go into the cells. So once you have contact and the virus passes from one partner to the next, then it colonises the cell and goes into the mucus in the cell and lives inside that cell. And that is how you get infected.”

He explained that meningococcal meningitis, the common cold, hepatitis B and glandular fever can get into the bloodstream and then infect the whole body.

The common cold

The virus which causes the common cold is not found in the saliva, but in mucus that may very well be a part of the wet kissing a couple may share while one partner has the common cold.

Influenza/flu virus

The flu is a highly contagious disease that is spread when you either inhale infected droplets in the air, when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or when you come in direct contact with an infected person’s secretions by kissing, touching, and sharing objects.

Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis)

Glandular fever, also known as infectious mononucleosis, is a viral infection that can cause fever, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and glands. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is one of the most common viruses that can affect humans. After infection, the virus will remain in the body for life, lying dormant in a number of throat and blood cells. The virus is contagious and can be passed on by coming into contact with the saliva of someone who is currently infected, hence its other name — the kissing disease.

Herpes

The herpes simplex viruses (both HSV-1 and HSV-2) must get into the body through tiny injuries in the skin or through a mucous membrane, such as inside the mouth or on the genital area. Both viruses can be carried in bodily fluids (such as saliva, semen, or fluid in the female genital tract) or in fluid from herpes sores. The risk for infection is highest with direct contact of blisters or sores during an outbreak.

Oral herpes is usually caused by HSV-1, which is the most prevalent form of the herpes simplex virus, and infection is most likely to occur during the pre-school years. Oral herpes is easily spread by direct exposure to saliva or even from droplets in the breath. Skin contact with infected areas is enough to spread it. Transmission most often occurs through close personal contact like kissing. In addition, because herpes simplex virus 1 can be transmitted through saliva, people should also avoid sharing toothbrushes or eating utensils with an infected person.

Warts/human papilloma virus (HPV)

HPV is a group of viruses that affect the skin and the moist membranes lining the body, like the cervix, anus, mouth and throat. It is a common and highly contagious infection, with over three-quarters of sexually active women acquiring it at some time in their lives.

Hepatitis B

“Hepatitis B is one of the most virulent organisms that exist that you can get from kissing and other body fluids like sweat,” Dr Rockhead said. “And that is why I always tell people to get their hepatitis B shot.”

Hepatitis B has been found in vaginal secretions, saliva and semen. It is not transmitted by holding hands, hugging, or even dry kissing on the lips. Since it has been found in saliva, the risk of transmission with deep kissing exists, and the risk increases if one partner wears orthodontic braces or has open cuts or sores in the mouth.

Meningococcal meningitis

The bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis can be spread through the exchange of saliva during kissing and sharing utensils and drinking glasses. Meningococcal meningitis occurs when bacteria called meningococci infect the lining of the brain and spinal cord. When these same bacteria get into the bloodstream, they can cause very serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms that can kill an otherwise healthy young person within one day after the first symptoms appear.