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Can One Catch Any Disease From Kissing?

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Posted on Tue, 12 Aug 2014
Question: I ask this question before but possibly I did not ask correctly.

Can one catch any diseases from kissing if no lesions present and not open mouth. If so, specifically what diseases?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Infectious mononucleosis a.k.a kissing disease

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help.

You have an excellent question, and I shall surely help you with the answer. Most infections require the infected individual to have active lesions or ulcers for transmission. But one such infection which does not require the individual to have such lesions, in fact most individuals who are asymptomatic (without any symptoms) are the cause for 95 % of transmission. The infection is called infectious mononucleosis/kissing disease and is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

I hope this clears your doubt sir. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always available to help you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (12 minutes later)
Thank you…you are very clear. Are there any other Sexually transmitted diseases that can be transmitted without lesions or ulcers??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
To a certain extent oral herpes and hep B

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

The thing about sexually transmitted diseases is that you cannot always tell whether the individual has it or not sir. Like for example with chlamydia or gonorrhea, the lesions require very specific conditions to survive and can survive in various parts of the human body including the back of the throat. So if at all an individual has a lesion in the throat, you would obviously not be able to see it, and if kissed the transmission chances (although not high) do exist.

But other most obvious infections transmitted by just kissing without the presence of lesions or ulcers are hepatitis B and to a certain extent even oral herpes, but as is documented this is not always the case.

I hope you find my response helpful sir. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always available to help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 minutes later)
Last follow up I promise….so, it is possible to get gonorrhea or chlamydia thru one kiss on the lips only with no lesions or sores?

Is that a very low probability??
See my question and tell me if the statement below is correct for all plus Syphliss

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through any type of sexual contact. Whether or not sexually transmitted diseases are spread through kissing all depends on the types of the diseases themselves. One example of a STD transmission through saliva is mononucleosis, or mono, which refers to the kissing disease. Mono is caused by infection with Epstein-Barr virus that can be transmitted by kissing because the virus is shed in saliva. Oral herpes can of course be spread by kissing. On the other hand, some infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia are harder to be transmitted through kissing alone. Gonorrhea or chlamydia is a highly contagious STD bacterial infection that spreads through semen or vaginal fluids during unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral-genital sex with an infected partner. Gonorrhea or chlamydia usually infects the genitals of both men and women, but can also infects the rectum, eyes, and back of the throat. Contrary to popular belief, transmission of gonorrhea or chlamydia by simple kissing has never been documented. If it happens, it is too rare to matter. The bacterium that causes gonorrhea or chlamydia requires very specific conditions for growth and reproduction. I hope you find the information helpful. If you have more concerns, I suggest that you have a consultation with a primary care doctor.
Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I would say No sir, not possible

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

It is very very unlikely that infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea can spread through kissing sir, especially through one kiss. There have been absolutely no documented cases of these infections being spread through kissing.

The information you have found on the internet is quite right, except about oral herpes. It can only spread through contact with an open lesion or ulcer sir.

So in response to your question, I would have to say 'No' to the spread of gonorrhea and/or chlamydia through one kiss sir. As the probability is so low that it is negligible.

I hope this answers your question sir. I look forward to assisting you further, so please do not hesitate to write to me about anything.

My best wishes,
Dr. Shoaib J Khan.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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Can One Catch Any Disease From Kissing?

Brief Answer: Infectious mononucleosis a.k.a kissing disease Detailed Answer: Hello sir and welcome. Thank you for writing to us I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. You have an excellent question, and I shall surely help you with the answer. Most infections require the infected individual to have active lesions or ulcers for transmission. But one such infection which does not require the individual to have such lesions, in fact most individuals who are asymptomatic (without any symptoms) are the cause for 95 % of transmission. The infection is called infectious mononucleosis/kissing disease and is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). I hope this clears your doubt sir. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always available to help you. Best wishes.