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Is mouth to mouth kissing safe?

Kissing is an intimate act that many people enjoy as a part of romantic relationships or sexual activity. However, some people worry if mouth to mouth kissing can spread infections or diseases. Let’s take a look at the risks and safety precautions around kissing.

Can you catch infections from kissing?

Yes, it is possible to catch some infections through mouth to mouth kissing if one person has an infectious disease. Some illnesses that can potentially spread through saliva contact during kissing include:

  • Common cold and flu
  • Mononucleosis (mono)
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • Herpes simplex virus (oral herpes)
  • Hepatitis B and C
  • Meningitis
  • Strep throat
  • Gingivitis

However, the risk is relatively low for passing most of these infections through casual kissing. Respiratory illnesses like colds and flu are most easily spread through kissing.

Are there diseases you can’t get from kissing?

Yes, there are many infectious diseases that are not spread through kissing, including:

  • HIV
  • COVID-19
  • Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis
  • Stomach bugs like norovirus
  • Skin infections like MRSA
  • Oral thrush
  • Tuberculosis (TB)

Unless blood is exchanged through open sores or wounds in the mouth, these types of pathogens are unlikely to be transmitted through saliva contact alone.

How to kiss more safely

While the risks are low, you can take some simple precautions to minimize the chance of swapping infections during kissing:

  • Avoid kissing anyone who has signs of illness like cough, runny nose, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
  • Don’t kiss anyone who has open sores or cuts in or near the mouth.
  • Use lip balm to avoid dry, cracked lips which can provide an entry point for pathogens.
  • Kiss gently to reduce excessive saliva exchange.
  • Close your eyes to avoid mucous membrane exposure if your partner has conjunctivitis.
  • Wait to kiss if you or your partner has an oral infection like herpes or thrush.
  • Don’t share food, drink bottles or smoking materials to avoid swapping saliva.

Practicing good oral hygiene and general infection prevention habits will also lower your risk.

When to avoid kissing

You may want to temporarily refrain from mouth to mouth kissing in situations like:

  • Active cold sores or oral herpes outbreak
  • Strep throat infection
  • Gingivitis
  • Oral piercings with fresh wounds
  • Respiratory infections like flu, colds, mono, etc.
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

Wait until you and your partner have been treated and are fully recovered before resuming normal kissing activity.

Conclusion

While it’s possible to transmit some illnesses through mouth-to-mouth contact, the risk is generally low for most routine social kissing. Using some basic precautions can minimize your chances of catching or spreading infections further. Avoid kissing anyone who is visibly ill, practice good oral hygiene, and you can comfortably enjoy kissing as part of relationships, intimacy, or casual affection.

Here are some key takeaways on the safety of kissing:

  • Common illnesses like colds, flu, mono can spread through kissing
  • Diseases like HIV, hepatitis C, gonorrhea are unlikely to spread from kissing
  • Avoid kissing people who are ill or have mouth sores/infections
  • Practice good oral hygiene and use lip balm to prevent cracked lips
  • Kiss gently, keep eyes closed, and avoid saliva exchange to reduce risk

Being aware of basic infection prevention while still enjoying intimate contact is the balance to aim for. Talk to your health provider if you have any concerns about illnesses spread through kissing or before kissing someone with a known infection.