While kissing is known to reflect physical and emotional affection, it is also associated with the transmission of a few contagious diseases. Is it possible to spread any diseases through kissing? The answer is not a definite one unless we take everything into account.
Please keep in mind that this is general information & not professional medical advice.
Let’s dig into some details and see if we can bust this myth or is it true.
Table of Contents
Can you get HPV from kissing?
Close contact, like skin-to-skin but not necessarily through bodily fluids, causes HPV virus transmission from one person to another. It’s hard to blame kissing for HPV spread. There is no conclusion leading to a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’.
Well, there is no exact correlation between the two but it has been suggested that open-mouth deep kissing may be linked to the transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV).
Most of the time, the transmission of HPV through oral means (like kissing) does not induce any symptoms. However, when the virus is active, it affects the membranes of the throat, mouth, gums, and tongue.
In 90% of the cases, HPV infections are most likely to go away within a span of a few years by themselves. In rare cases though, they can cause long-term issues like cancer. The probability of oral HPV is directly related to the number of partners an individual has had.
So can you get HPV from kissing? The answer is an inconclusive ‘yes’.
But, there is nothing to worry about. All of this has one simple solution. GET VACCINATED. It is very effective and significantly reduces the risk of contracting this disease even through kissing.
Children and young adults should get vaccinated against HPV. However, vaccination may not be effective against the virus for people who have already been affected or those who are older than 25 years.
Precautions:
- Get tested regularly. Know more about your health and your partner’s. This can help detect any issues early on and would prevent any transmission.
- Communicate with your partner to know about any history of medical issues. This would help you to know more about the risk factor.
- Try to limit your physical contact with other people and avoid being involved with more people with unknown medical histories. Limit the number of your partners to decrease the risk.
Do visit your doctor if the below signs persist for more than a few weeks:
- Sore throat or sore tongue
- Persistent swallowing pressure or pain associated with a sore throat.
Can you get herpes from kissing?
Herpes can definitely spread through kissing as it can commonly be contracted through both skin-to-skin and bodily fluids contact.
The herpes virus HSV-1 can spread through oral means even when no symptoms are present. The outbreak is very contagious and is transmitted through visible symptoms like blisters and sores. The symptoms include body aches and fever.
The other type of herpes virus is HSV-2. Its transmission always occurs through sexual contact and causes infection in the pelvic region.
This would have you think about another probability.
Can you get genital herpes through kissing?
When an individual has an outbreak, both forms of the virus can spread more easily. It can also spread even if there are no visible signs or symptoms. HSV-2 does not usually impact the face or mouth but oral herpes can also be developed due to oral sex with someone who has already contracted this virus.
Precautions:
If a person has herpes with noticeable symptoms, it is better to avoid;
- Any form of oral contact, including kissing.
- Engaging in any kind of physical intimacy if the symptoms are around the pelvic region.
So can you get herpes from kissing? The answer is a definite ‘yes’.
Anti-herpes medication can help avoid such transmissions during any contact. Make sure to have yourself and your partner checked regularly as herpes can also transmit from one person to another without presenting any symptoms.
Can you get Chlamydia from kissing?
Chlamydia is a bacterial STI and can affect many different organs like the eyes, throat, and pubic region. It often does not present itself with any symptoms.
However, a majority of STIs are not transmitted by kissing, and fortunately, chlamydia is one of them. It cannot spread through coughing, kissing, or sneezing. But it can still develop in the throat through oral contact with the genitals.
Precautions:
You still need to be careful about it as the lack of symptoms can lead to transmission due to unawareness.
- Although there is no risk of chlamydia transmission through kissing, it would still be advisable to avoid any oral contact when the infection has been confirmed. This could help stop the spread to pubic regions.
- Have yourself and your partner tested when the symptoms occur, and keep an eye on the medical history.
So can you get chlamydia from kissing? The answer is a definite ‘no’.
A course of antibiotics, as prescribed by professional medical personnel, would help treat the symptoms of chlamydia. As there is a high risk of a recurring infection, a person should be tested again within approximately three months.
Can you get Syphilis from kissing?
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted. It should be treated early on because it can lead to permanent disabilities, nervous system issues, or even death without proper medication.
This infection spreads through contact with syphilis sores which can develop on lips, inside the mouth, or pubic region.
Passing on this bacteria through kissing is rare but the chances still exist. It is more likely to spread due to physical intimacy. Painless sores develop in the mouth or exposed part of the skin. In an advanced stage, it can also cause a sore throat.
Such symptoms may disappear after a few weeks, only to return later on if no proper care or treatment is followed.
Precautions:
Syphilis is very much treatable, particularly when it is in its early stages. Penicillin is considered a strong antibiotic to cure syphilis.
- Speak to a medical professional as soon as the symptoms occur so that the treatment can start as soon as possible. Any delays could be life-threatening.
- Avoid physical contact of any kind, including kissing, to stop the spread to other persons until the treatments have been completed and the bacteria have been eradicated from the body.
- Know the medical history of your partners, and keep consulting your doctors if your partner has a history of syphilis infection.
The effects of syphilis may not be reduced even for many months. So get tested regularly.
Can you get an STD from kissing?
Some STDs either do not cause any symptoms or are too mild to pay attention to. However, the underlying infection is necessary to treat and manage.
Kissing is a particularly low-risk sexual practice for most healthy individuals. Some STIs, particularly when someone has an active infection or symptoms, may spread by kissing.
So can you get STD from kissing? This question is easy to answer. Such STIs include:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Cytomegalovirus
- Herpes
- Syphilis
STDs that cannot be spread through kissing include;
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- HIV
- Chancroid
Many other diseases, that are not STDs, can also be spread through kissing. Included in that list are:
- Influenza
- Coronaviruses
- Germs that cause gum disease
- Meningitis
- Mumps
- Polio
Can you get STD from kissing? The answer to this question is fairly simple.
Only 4 of around 26 STDs can be passed on through kissing. But it would always be a good idea for the partners to discuss their medical histories and issues with each other so proper care could be taken to avoid such illnesses in the future.
Any anomaly should be discussed with your doctor immediately to avoid complications.
Conclusion:
Kissing & side-effects on health are something that only a handful of people really consider in their life. But as kissing is a really intimate act, it can transfer a lot of germs to your partner.
In this article, we have tried to cover the major side-effects of kissing on your health. If you have any questions, you can ask in the comments section below.
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