Diseases You Can Get Through Kissing
Do you enjoy a passionate kiss as much as the rest of the
world? The kind that leaves you gasping for air and begging for more? The
kisses that fairytales preach, yes, the ones that sweep you off your feet and whisk
you away to another world.
During a good kiss, the world seems to stop spinning and
nothing else seems to matter. That's because certain feel-good hormones, such
as dopamine, are released when you share an incredible kiss with someone,
making you feel on top of the world and wanting to go back for more!
The last thing on your mind while you're in that euphoric
state is the possibility of contracting a communicable disease from kissing.
Even if it's the last thing on your mind at the time, it's critical to be aware
of how kissing can lead to a variety of health problems. That kiss, which
appears to be a blissful moment of intimacy, may actually lead you down the
path of infection.
This article is not intended to scare you or make you
fearful of kissing a loved one in the future. Kissing is without a doubt one of
the most romantic ways to express love, but many people are unaware that
intimate kisses involving the exchange of saliva can often transmit illnesses.
The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identify eight diseases spread by saliva.
Continue reading to learn about the diseases that can be
contracted through kissing.
Mononucleosis
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which thrives in fluids such
as saliva and can easily be spread from an infected person's saliva when
kissing, causes "the kissing disease." It is most common in young
adults and is extremely contagious. The infection and its symptoms can last
anywhere from one to two months. Fever, sore throat, fatigue, muscle weakness,
and swollen lymph glands are all symptoms that are very similar to those of the
flu. The majorities of symptoms are self-limiting and improve over time.
Cytomegalovirus
Saliva, as well as blood, urine, sperm, and breast milk, are
all carriers of this disease. CMV is a herpes virus. It, like all other herpes
viruses, can lay dormant in the body for long periods of time. Fever, muscle
aches, and, in more serious cases, pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, and
visual impairment are all possible symptoms.
Gum
disease
Gum disease is also known as periodontitis and gingivitis,
and while the disease itself is not transmitted through kissing, the bacteria
that cause it can. Brushing and flossing on a daily basis can help to prevent
gum disease.
Herpes
When someone has an active oral herpes infection, the virus
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 causes unsightly blistering on the lips and around the
mouth. Cold sores and fever blisters are common names for these lesions, and
not everyone realizes that cold sores and fever blisters are the same things.
Once you've contracted oral herpes, you'll have it for the
rest of your life. Direct contact between an infected area and broken skin or a
mucous membrane transmits oral herpes. Many people who have oral herpes aren't
even aware that they have it, and may unintentionally spread it to a partner
while kissing. Symptoms last about 8-10 days on average during an outbreak, and
cold sores heal on their own. If you or your partner have visible sores, you
should avoid kissing or other sexual contacts to prevent the spread of
infection.
Meningitis
Meningitis is a serious condition in which the lining of the
brain and spinal cord becomes inflamed. Respiratory secretions can spread the
disease from one person to another. The exchange of saliva while kissing is one
way for the illness to be passed on to someone else. During the 2017 meningitis
outbreak in Nigeria, over 1000 people died. Fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea,
light sensitivity, and vomiting are some of the symptoms. There is no cure for
this disease, but staying healthy and having a strong immune system can help
you beat it.
Mumps
Mumps causes the salivary glands to swell and become
inflamed. It is usually spread by airborne droplets from an infected person's
nose or throat. Fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite
are common symptoms.
Rubella
Rubella, also known as German measles, is caused by a
virus that is transmitted through the sneeze or cough of an infected person.
Fever and rash are the most common symptoms, and they usually go away in two to
three days. This disease can be prevented with the rubella vaccine.
Influenza
Influenza is spread through droplets produced by coughing,
sneezing, or talking by people who have the flu. Fever, cough, sore throat,
body aches, and fatigue are some of the symptoms. The majority of people
recover in less than two weeks on their own.
Post a Comment