Four diseases you can contract from making out

A good make-out session is the first step to a great intimacy. There are different types of kisses that include; forehead kiss, single lip, French kiss, seductive kiss and the list is endless. However, there is the dark side of kissing. According to Michael Benninger, MD the risk of transmission through saliva is low due to the fact that it has antibodies and enzymes that lower the risk. However, some infectious organisms do make their way past the saliva. These are the five epidemics you can contract:

Infectious mononucleosis-This is referred to as a group of symptoms that are caused by Epstein - Barr virus. This virus is spread through the saliva and commonly known as the kissing disease. According to Mayo Clinic, some of the symptoms include fatigue, sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits, swollen tonsils, headache, Skin rash and a soft, swollen spleen. The incubation period of the virus is the time between when you contract the infection and when the symptoms begin showing which lasts 4-6 weeks.

Treatment would mainly involve bed rest, good nutrition and plenty of fluids. However, antibiotics may be used for any secondary infections that develop.

Gingivitis- It is the inflammation of the gums which occurs dues to natural bacteria that everyone has. According to Tim Pruett, D.M.D., founder of Flossolution, the natural bacteria is caused by poor hygiene in one’s mouth. For instance, if they have plaque. Such bacteria can be transmitted through kissing your partner and when it gets serious one can lose their teeth.

According to Mayo Clinic, the symptoms include swollen or puffy gums, dark red gum, bad breathe, receding gums and tender gums. The treatment includes professional dental cleaning which includes removing all traces of plaque, tartar, and bacterial product. This procedure is known as scaling and root planing.

Syphilis- This is a common sexually transmitted disease that can be passed through deep kissing. A gynecologist told it's contracted through the sores that develop in the mouth. The sores are normally open and round. If you and your partner have syphilis related sores in your mouth, let them clear up first with the help of doctor’s prescription.

According to Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of syphilis normally vary in stages. The stages include primary, secondary, latent, late and congenital syphilis. An individual may be infected and not notice any symptoms for years.

For syphilis to be treated, the infected need to have a periodic blood tests and exams to make sure they are responding to the usual dosage of penicillin, avoid sexual contact until the treatment is completed and blood tests indicate the infection has been cure, notify your sex partners so that they can be tested and get treatment if necessary and test for HIV infection.

Herpes- This is another common virus that causes sores on your genitals and mouth. It stays in your body for life and it spreads skin to skin contact often during kissing, oral anal and vaginal sex. The virus can be spread without any sores or symptoms.According to Mayo Clinic, the symptoms include pain or itching, small red bumps or tiny white blisters, ulcers, and scabs. Herpes is said to have no cure and the treatment requires prescription antiviral medications that help sores heal sooner during an initial outbreak may lessen the severity and duration of symptoms in recurrent outbreaks.

 

Every couple needs to consult a doctor to ensure they are free from these infections that are normally ignored. This will help you to avoid contracting infections/diseases.