National Kissing Day 2021: 9 Diseases You Can Get From Smooching

Kissing has been society's way of expressing love, whether platonic or romantic, for centuries. Historians said that the practice has been around since 1500 B.C. and became mainstream when Alexander the Great and his army spread the practice to other parts of the world.

The act of kissing is still very much alive to this day, with research suggesting that it brings several health benefits, including stress reduction, greater emotional bond and a metabolic boost.

The benefits that come with locking lips is precisely why National Kissing Day started. Celebrated every year on June 22, the holiday highlights the significance of the ancient practice that has become a large part of relationships.

Before you pucker up on National Kissing Day 2021, however, it's best to read through the list of the diseases and infections you can get from kissing to make sure you get yourself protected by smooching safely, courtesy of KSAT.com and London Doctor's Clinic:

Herpes

Oral herpes, also known as "cold sores" or "fever blisters," spreads through direct contact between an infected area and a broken membrane in the skin. Surprisingly, more than 50% of Americans have oral herpes (HSV-1), although most of the cases do not produce any visible symptoms.

People who get herpes carry it with them forever, unfortunately. Another type, genital herpes (HSV-2), is spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex.

Warts (Human papillomavirus or HPV)

Warts are likely to form when there is a break in the skin. Although this is rare and would require a fair amount of contact to be transmitted through open-mouth kissing, according to research, it's best to be wary.

Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis, which is more severe than viral meningitis, is spread through close contact such as kissing. Not to be taken lightly, meningitis causes inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord, which is why people should immediately see a doctor if they have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with the disease.

Syphilis

Although syphilis is contracted through sex, it can still be transmitted through kissing. The disease causes round, open and infectious sores in the mouth that can transmit the bacteria to someone else.

Mumps

Mumps spread through airborne droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person and cause the salivary glands to swell. Fortunately, mumps can easily be prevented by getting vaccinated.

Polio

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis. Like mumps, polio can be prevented by immunization. The disease often spreads through contaminated food and water, according to KSAT.com.

Gum Disease

Researchers from the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research found that an intimate 10-second kiss is enough to transfer 80 million bacteria.

The bad bacteria transferred from one person to another can build up in the mouth and form plaque, which is why brushing teeth and flossing are great ways to avoid getting gum disease.

Influenza

When a person with the flu sneezes or coughs, they can infect those around them very easily. The chances of getting infected increase significantly when that person kisses another in the mouth.

Symptoms of influenza include body aches, fever, fatigue and cough.

Rubella

Also known as German measles, rubella can bring about a fever and a rash for infected people. The disease usually spreads through a person's sneeze, cough or kiss. Getting vaccinated against the disease is a highly effective way to protect oneself from getting infected.