The mouth is an ideal place for microorganisms to thrive because of its warm temperature and moist texture. Hence, it is not surprising that there are various diseases transmitted through this oral cavity through kissing.
Kissing could transfer thousands of microscopic germs from one person to another. You could not see it, but your mouth is teeming with bacteria. The most common of these diseases are:
Common colds
A cold is caused by a virus, which could be easily transmitted through mucus secretions, droplets and sputum through your mouth or nose. Kissing could easily transmit the virus between both partners. Rhinoviruses, syncytial viruses and coronaviruses are the viruses that cause colds.
The Rhinovirus is the most common cause and is highly contagious; you could easily catch the virus through your hands, nose and mouth. Symptoms of colds include fever, runny nose, headache and muscle pains.
Syphilis
This is one of the diseases caused by the bacteria, Treponema pallidum. Treponema could readily be transferred from one partner to another through prolonged kissing and sexual activities. The presence of a sore is usually indicated, but there are sores which may not be visible to the naked eye.
The bacteria could infect a person through the anus too. There are three stages of syphilis; the primary, secondary and the latent phases. If the bacterium is detected early, it could easily be cured. Symptoms of this disease are sores, rashes, fever, swollen lymph glands and weight loss.
HIV and AIDS
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It could easily be transmitted through sexual contact. Although, you need a copious amount of saliva with the virus in it, to get infected by kissing, open wounds in the mouth, can also facilitate transmission. If left untreated, the HIV can destroy your immune system and the condition could progress to AIDS.
When you have AIDS, your immune system is compromised and you can acquire any infection you come in contact with. Sometimes, an infected person shows no symptoms, so you may want to have a regular check up to play safe. If the HIV is detected at the early stages, there is a significant chance that you can prevent the onset of AIDS. Symptoms of the disease include fever, fatigue, muscle pains and rashes.
Infectious mononucleosis
This is also called the ”kissing disease” because it is transmitted primarily through kissing. This condition is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). You could also contract the disease through the air, because the droplets that come from the person’s cough or sneeze is contagious.
The symptoms of the condition include flu-like and cold-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, and enlarged spleen or liver. Just like all viruses, there are no drugs that could directly kill the virus, so management of the symptoms is crucial.
For bacterial agents, such as, Treponema pallidum, antibiotics could cure the patient if detected at its early stages.
These are the diseases that you could acquire through kissing, so, it is important to avoid sexual promiscuity, especially with strangers. If your loved ones are sick of these conditions, then seek treatment first and avoid kissing and engaging in sexual activities. It always pays to be vigilant and careful to prevent the spread of the disease.
