Table of contents:
- A disease that is a side effect of lip kissing
- 1. Influenza
- 2. Mumps
- 3. Mononucleosis
- 4. Gum disease
- 5. Herpes labialis (oral herpes)
- 6. Meningitis
- 7. Hepatitis B
- 8. Syphilis
- 9.HPV infection (human papillomavirus)
- 10. Singapore flu
- How to prevent disease transmission due to lip kissing
Lip kisses that are a sign of affection or a romantic expression for a partner have side effects. A lip kiss that cannot be underestimated. The reason is, the mouth is the dirtiest place in the body, this happens because saliva contains many microorganisms.
A disease that is a side effect of lip kissing
Here are some of the diseases that can be transmitted through kissing the lips.
1. Influenza
The first disease that becomes a side effect of lip kissing is the flu. Influenza spreads rapidly from person to person, often spread by droplets of an infected person when coughing, sneezing, or talking.
Generally, people will be infected with the flu virus one day before having symptoms until seven days after being sick. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue.
2. Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection that affects the swollen salivary glands. Mumps is spread from an infected person through the air when they have a cold, cough or sneeze.
Symptoms of mumps are fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite.
3. Mononucleosis
This disease is also known as glandular fever or kissing disease. Mononucleosis is a viral infection that is spread through saliva, for example when kissing, coughing, sneezing or other things that are transmitted from the saliva of an infected person.
Symptoms of the disease caused by kissing lips are very similar to the flu, namely fever, sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches. Study from Clinical Immunology indicates that the most severe symptom that requires serious treatment is swollen lymph nodes.
4. Gum disease
Bacteria, mucus, and other particles constantly living in the mouth can form dental plaque. Brushing teeth and flossing (use of dental floss) helps to remove plaque.
However, if not cleaned thoroughly, plaque can also grow below the gum line, causing gum disease.
Although gum disease (also known as periodontitis and gingivitis) is not spread through kissing, bad bacteria in your mouth or your partner can cause gum disease.
5. Herpes labialis (oral herpes)
Oral herpes is spread by direct contact with infected areas, damaged skin or mucous membranes.
This disease causes water-filled bubbles on the skin, making it look like blistered skin. In addition, experts estimate that more than 20 percent of new genital herpes cases are caused by herpes simplex type 1 which is transmitted through oral sex.
The most prominent symptoms are small white or red blisters on your mouth or on your genitals. It may discharge or bleed during an outbreak.
Touching or kissing someone with an active cold sore can spread the viral infection to you. The virus can also be spread if no symptoms appear.
HSV-1 can be caught by sharing saliva or items such as equipment that touch the mouth of a person with the virus. But HSV-1 can also affect your genitals and spread through oral, genital, or anal sex.
6. Meningitis
The next disease that can spread due to lip kissing is meningitis.
Many types of viruses can cause meningitis. Meningitis is inflammation or swelling of the protective membrane covering the brain and spinal cord.
This inflammation is usually caused by infection from the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
One of the triggers of this disease according to research is a kiss. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting.
7. Hepatitis B
Side effects of lip kissing include diseases caused by the hepatitis B virus. Infection can occur as a result of kissing lips when blood and saliva infected with the hepatitis virus comes into direct contact with another person's bloodstream or mucous membranes.
A person is easily infected with this disease when one partner has sores around the mouth.
8. Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection, usually not transmitted through kissing. It's more commonly spread through oral, anal, or genital sex. But syphilis can cause sores in your mouth that can pass the bacteria to other people. This method can be a result of disease transmission caused by kissing the lips.
Deep or French kisses, where you and your partner touch each other's tongue while kissing, can also increase your risk of infection. That's because you are exposing yourself to the more potentially infected tissue in your partner's mouth.
Syphilis can be severe or fatal if left untreated. Severe symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Losing hair
- Aches
- Feel tired
- Abnormal spots, pimples, or warts
9.HPV infection (human papillomavirus)
HPV stands for human papillomavirus. Viral infection that is the result of lip kissing can cause cancer later in life.
In rare cases, a person can transmit the infection through oral contact or contact with infected saliva. However, the most common way to transmit the virus from lip kissing is through direct contact with the genitals.
Approximately 3.6% of women and 10% of men in the US develop oral HPV. Most people clear the infection within a few years.
Oral HPV infects the throat and mouth and can cause cancer of the oropharynx, back of the throat, base of the tongue, and tonsils. Health experts believe that 70% of cases of oropharyngeal cancer in the US are caused by HPV.
Common symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer include:
- Persistent sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Pain when swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Earache
10. Singapore flu
Singapore flu or its medical language hand foot and mouth disease is a very contagious disease.
This disease due to kissing lips is caused by a virus coxsackie and can be spread through open sores in the mouth, saliva, and stool.
Symptoms commonly caused by the disease which is a side effect of kissing lips are fever accompanied by neck pain, runny nose, and a rash on the mouth, hands and feet.
How to prevent disease transmission due to lip kissing
As for things that can be done to maintain oral hygiene to avoid side effects of lip kisses, namely:
- The most important thing you can do to avoid the health risks of lip kissing is not to kiss if you or your partner have a sore on your lips or mouth and when you are not healthy.
- Routinely brush your teeth using toothpaste that contains fluoride at least twice per day
- Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three to four months
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and make fresh breath
- Use mouthwash to prevent plaque and tartar growth
- Reduce consumption of foods that contain lots of sugar
- Visit the dentist one to two times a year to check and clean your teeth
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