Can hepatitis be transmitted through kissing the lips? & bull; hello healthy

Hepatitis is a contagious inflammatory liver disease caused by infection, whether bacterial, viral, or parasitic. There are many types of viruses that can cause hepatitis, namely hepatitis H, B, C, D, and E. So, is hepatitis transmitted through kissing the lips? Find out the answer in this article.

Is hepatitis transmitted through kissing the lips?

The hepatitis virus is not transmitted through saliva. The hepatitis A and E viruses are only transmitted via the fecal-oral route. In other words, you can catch it when you ingest food that contains the virus.

Among other types of hepatitis virus, hepatitis B is the most widely transmitted through sex. In fact, the possibility of transmitting HBV, the virus that causes hepatitis B, is much greater than transmission of HIV. This is because the HBV virus can be transmitted through contact with blood, vaginal fluids, semen, saliva, and possibly through intense kissing.

When kissing is so intense, there may be scratches on the lining of the lips. These sores can become the "entry gates" for the HBV virus to the blood vessels of other people. Although there are no cases of HBV transmission through kissing, the risk remains. Especially if the person with HBV has thrush, has open sores in his mouth and lips, and if one partner is wearing braces.

In addition, you are also at risk of contracting hepatitis if you have hot kissing with a person who has hepatitis C (HCV). The HCV virus is spread by direct contact with the blood of an infected person. If blood from a person with HCV enters their partner's body when kissing intensely, then this could transmit the hepatitis virus.

So, having a hot kiss when someone with HCV has a canker sores or has open sores on their mouth and lips can increase your risk of contracting HCV. HCV is generally considered the most serious infection of the hepatitis virus of all kinds.

So, how is it safe to avoid contracting hepatitis?

Hepatitis is one of the most deadly infectious diseases. The reason is, this one disease often does not cause any symptoms. Many people with hepatitis do not realize that they are infected, which makes it easier to transmit the disease to other people.

If you or your partner suspect you have certain types of hepatitis, you must immediately take precautions to reduce the risk of transmission. Some of the things you can do include:

1. Get a blood test

The best way to find out if someone is infected with the hepatitis virus or not is with a blood test. If after examination it is found that your partner is diagnosed with hepatitis, you should immediately get the hepatitis vaccine.

2. Use a condom during sexual intercourse

Sexual intercourse can be the main entry point for the spread of the hepatitis virus. Even though you have been vaccinated, it does not mean that the risk of transmitting this disease will completely disappear.

You and your partner should still have sex as safely as possible with a condom, including during oral sex and anal sex. Use latex condoms for any type of sex (penetration, oral, or anal).

Also, use a water-based lubricant to reduce the chance of the condom tearing. The use of lubricants also aims to reduce the chance of injury due to friction on the penis in the vagina.

3. Avoiding risky sexual activity

Always remember that the hepatitis virus is transmitted through direct contact with blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or open wounds on the skin. So, make sure you avoid all forms of sexual activity that can increase the risk of hepatitis transmission, for example kissing the lips when you have thrush, sex during menstruation, or touching a part of the body that has open wounds, and so on.

Also avoid using the same sex toy to be used interchangeably with your partner. After use, make sure you always wash and clean it.

4. Be loyal to one partner

Do not have unprotected sex with multiple partners or with someone whose health status is uncertain. In many cases, the symptoms and signs of hepatitis are not easy to recognize.

Therefore, if you are used to changing sexual partners, you are also more vulnerable to the dangers of transmitting hepatitis through sex. Transmission of venereal disease through intimate contact between married couples can still occur, but the risk is low.