5 Surprising Illnesses You Can Catch from Kissing (6 photos)

It's common knowledge that kissing can pass along bugs from one person to another, most notably colds and the flu. As it turns out, however, there are other, far less obvious illnesses you can catch through this kind of close contact with a carrier.

Here are five unexpected conditions you can catch from a simple kiss.





Herpes



The herpes simplex virus, commonly known as a cold sore, is almost guaranteed to spread to a partner during a kiss. Yet many people brush this warning off far too casually, thinking, "So what? It'll clear up on its own in a week."

In reality, once the virus enters your body, it stays with you for life, surfacing as painful, unsightly sores whenever your immune system takes a hit.

Mononucleosis





Mononucleosis isn't nicknamed "the kissing disease" for nothing—kissing is the primary way it spreads from person to person. However, you can also contract it simply by sharing a drink bottle, eating utensils, or a cigarette with a carrier.

Key symptoms of mono include a high fever, severe sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, which is why it is frequently mistaken for a cold or flu. Once you have had mononucleosis, you remain a carrier of the virus for the rest of your life, though symptoms rarely recur.

Helicobacter Pylori



This scary-looking creature in the picture is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium responsible for a host of unpleasant conditions, including ulcers, gastritis, and stomach cancer. Surprisingly, neither stress nor a poor diet is the primary cause of these ailments. It is H. pylori that actually infects the lining of the stomach and duodenum—and it can be transmitted simply by kissing.

Stomatitis



Those small blisters that occasionally pop up on the inside of your lips are a sign of oral mucosa inflammation known as stomatitis. While not dangerous, it is far from pleasant. Stomatitis can range from mild to severe, with acute cases causing bleeding gums and bad breath.

Tooth Decay



Most of us have been familiar with tooth decay since childhood. It is the leading cause of cavities and the main reason we end up making unwelcome visits to the dentist.

Despite what our parents warned us about, it isn't caused solely by eating too many sweets. In theory, even someone with perfectly healthy teeth can pick up Streptococcus mutans—the bacteria behind tooth decay—through shared unwashed dishes or a kiss.

Without wanting to alarm you, meningitis, polio, rubella, cytomegalovirus, mumps, and various gum diseases can also be transmitted through kissing. To minimize your risk of picking up any unwanted bugs, keep a close eye on your health: visit your dentist regularly, get routine checkups, and maintain good personal hygiene.

Most importantly, don't let this scare you away from kissing! As we have shared before, this enjoyable act can actually lengthen your lifespan, boost your immune system, and improve your overall health.