MedClick

It wouldn't be wrong to say that language, namely the ability to produce different sounds the combination of which imparts a thought, idea or situation is humanity's most ingenious invention. Lovers of the written word will never cease to be moved by a beautiful description that accurately portrays every detail of the scene which the writer is eternalising by way of the written word.

When it comes to human feelings or emotions however, sometimes there simply aren't enough words that can adequately portray the depth of feeling that overtake us humans in those moments that mark our lives. Such is the case when a person breaks down on the passing of a loved one. No words can express the pain of loss in the same way that tears can. Similarly no words can express the feeling of love and closeness in the same way that kissing does. Kissing is one of the ultimate expressions of love between two human beings. The saying 'actions speak louder than words' could be taken to describe kissing.

Kissing requires significant muscular coordination; a total of thirty-four facial muscles and 112 postural muscles are used during a kiss. The most important muscle involved is the orbicularis oris muscle, which is used to pucker the lips and informally known as the kissing muscle.

The tongue can also be an extremely important part of the kiss (French kiss). Lips have many nerve endings so they are sensitive to touch and bite.

"Kissing disease" or Mononeucleosis, known as Mono for short, is caused by the spread of a "bug" or virus called Mono.

Infectious mononucleosis (also called Mono)) is spread through kissing, colloquially referred to as "the kissing disease" and is caused by an infection with the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). After exposure to EBV, there are usually no symptoms at all, in fact, up to 95 percent of adults have antibody evidence of past EBV infection even though the vast majority recalled no related illness. For reasons that remain unknown, only some people develop Mono after exposure to EBV. With symptoms such as fatigue, headache, muscle or joint aches, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and sore throat. While it is true that the virus is shed in the saliva and can be transmitted by kissing, Mono is not a highly contagious illness and it can also be transmitted by other means, such as coughing or sneezing. Preventing the spread of EBV is not easy since there are often no symptoms. Even when there are, one may be contagious before the illness is recognized.

By NOT kissing that special someone, you're also NOT exposing yourself to the 500 or so bacteria in your partner's mouth, and you're NOT letting viruses in either.

"Kissing (the exchange of saliva) is a great way to pass a virus, which is specially equipped with sticky proteins that allow it to attach to a person's healthy cells, the virus hangs on to the cell's surface until it can get in and co-opt the cell's machinery for its own purposes.

The virus incubates over a few days and the infected person starts feeling achy, fatigued and a little feverish as the bug makes itself at home throughout the body. The whole process from infection to incubation back to health generally takes about two weeks, and for healthy children and adults, is not considered life-threatening. For unhealthy or older people, however, the virus can be deadly.

Because each kiss varies in time and intensity, there is no way of knowing how much kissing sets you up for cellular attack, but experts estimate it takes only 10 viral particles to transfer an infection. So, the longer and more intensely two people KISS, the more likely it is a virus can invade a partner.

While it is true that EBV is easy to transmit from one person to another through kissing, there is usually no recognised illness associated with the infection. Even when Mono does follow, there is complete recovery in a short period.

On the brighter side, Kissing allows prospective mates to taste each other's pheromones for biological compatibility. It is a much stronger chemical reaction than merely sniffing each other. Humans also judge potential mates on the quality of the kiss as a sign of a potential lover's personality and ability to commit. Kissing makes us feel good by causing a release of endorphins in the brain

Therefore, while “kissing disease” is real, kissing is rarely a danger to your health.