Turn the cheek on kissing

Kissing is wonderful, but apart from intimate kisses with your partner, you are much better off if you turn the cheek or settle for a friendly handshake with others. Being too free with the kisses could create a whole host of health maladies. 

Cold sores
Cold sores are caused by the Herpes simplex virus (type l). It is most commonly spread by saliva. It takes three days to a week after that kiss for the cold sore to develop in or around your mouth. The bad news is that once the Herpes virus is in your system, it’s there to stay, dormant until activated again and a new cold sore forms.

Factors that can activate cold sores include stress, sunlight, trauma and illness, says Cape Town-based oral hygienist, Vicky Gowar.

Glandular fever
Kissing can also spread the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes glandular fever – also called infective mononucleosis. If you’re unlucky enough to kiss someone with glandular fever, the most common symptoms you may experience later are fever, an extremely sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Once the symptoms have cleared, you could still be a carrier of the virus and infect others with glandular fever for weeks or months afterwards.

Hepatitis B
Although blood carries higher levels of the Hepatitis B virus than saliva, the condition can still be transmitted by kissing. This virus targets the liver and symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomitting, loss of appetite and fever.

Gum disease
Gum disease (periodontitis) can also be passed on by saliva. Symptoms include smooth, bright red and swollen gums. Your gums may also feel soft and bleed when you brush your teeth.

German measles
You could become infected if you inhale some droplets when an infected person coughs or even talks. Kissing someone with German measles will definitely put you at risk of infection. If you've been immunised, you should be fairly safe, but it's still worth being careful as the immunisation doesn’t provide 100% protection. Pregnant women should be especially careful, particularly during the first three months. German measles could cause the baby to develop abnormalities.

The common cold
Sharing a kiss is the perfect way to contract an upper respiratory tract infection such as a cold.

The art of the offered cheek 
Don't feel obliged to kiss every single friend or family member. Kissing is a personal choice. It is acceptable to offer your cheek or shake hands.