Hi,

Thanks for contacting us. Kissing offer many health benefits but may also transmit a small number of diseases causing bacteria and viruses.

Examples of illnesses caused by Viruses that can be transmitted by kissing include colds, glandular fever, hepatitis B, herpes infection and warts.

Warts in mouth can be spread through kissing, especially if there are areas of recent trauma.

Glandular fever is also known as kissing fever. It is a common term for a viral infection called infectious mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus is spread through saliva and infection occurs through contact.

Examples of illnesses of caused by bacteria includes tooth decay and meningococcal disease.   Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening condition which includes meningitis, inflammation of membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, and septicaemia. These bacteria can be spread through direct contact via droplets.