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Velvet Digest

Can you get someone sick from kissing?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on June 05, 2026

There's the chance that kissing someone who's sick will make you sick, too. Illnesses and bacteria are spread several ways — from inhaling infected droplets in the air after a sick person coughs or sneezes to touching a contaminated surface then touching your eyes or nose and, yes, kissing.

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Subsequently, one may also ask, can you get sick from kissing someone with a cold?

"The common cold virus travels in the mucus from the respiratory system, so unless you have a bad cough, and some of the respiratory mucus has made its way into your saliva, the cold virus will not be transmitted by kissing," he said.

Beside above, can you catch a tooth infection from kissing? Kissing someone who has gum disease or cavity-causing bacteria can cause someone else who previously had a low concentration of “bad” bacteria to “catch” dental problems, due to the increased concentration of “bad” bacteria — especially if that person has poor oral hygiene habits, which set the stage for tooth decay.

Also, what STD can you get from kissing?

A: The only established STD transmitted through kissing is herpes, which is caused by the herpes simplex virus. HIV may be transmitted through kissing if a cut or open sore exists, but this would be considered very rare.

How long should you wait to kiss someone after being sick?

In general, it's best to wait for three to four days after the cold sore scab disappears before you kiss someone or engage in oral sex. This is because the herpes virus can continue shedding in the late stages of a cold sore healing, even if there's no viral fluid present.

Related Question Answers

Will I get sick if I kiss my sick boyfriend?

There's the chance that kissing someone who's sick will make you sick, too. Illnesses and bacteria are spread several ways — from inhaling infected droplets in the air after a sick person coughs or sneezes to touching a contaminated surface then touching your eyes or nose and, yes, kissing.

Why do I get tonsillitis every time I kiss someone?

Unfortunately yes; you can get tonsillitis from kissing one who is infected; the longer the period of kissing, the more likely for one to get infected. This condition is called tonsillitis. The commonest organisms that cause this condition are viruses but sometimes it is due to bacteria.

At what point is a cold contagious?

For colds, most individuals become contagious about a day before cold symptoms develop and remain contagious for about five to seven days. Some children may pass the flu viruses for longer than seven days (occasionally for two weeks).

How do you avoid getting sick after kissing?

Prevention of infection while kissing
  1. Avoid kissing when you or the other person is sick.
  2. Avoid kissing anyone on the lips when you, or they, have an active cold sore, warts or ulcers around the lips or in the mouth.
  3. Maintain good oral hygiene.
  4. Cough and sneeze into a hanky if you have a cold.

Can a cold be passed through sperm?

You can't catch the common cold from semen alone, but you can get some other sexually transmitted diseases. Semen on its own cannot carry something like the common cold. That doesn't mean other fluids exchanged during sexual activity can't. Semen CAN, however, transmit many other STIs.

What are the benefits of kissing?

5 Surprising Benefits of Kissing
  • Kissing boosts immunity. A recent study reported in the journal Medical Hypotheses says kissing may increase a woman's immunity from Cytomegalovirus.
  • Kissing helps you pick the best mate.
  • Kissing burns calories!
  • Kissing keeps facial muscles strong.
  • Kissing naturally relaxes you.

What is the kissing virus?

Mono, or infectious mononucleosis, refers to a group of symptoms usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The virus is spread through saliva, which is why some people refer to it as “the kissing disease.”

How long does bacteria stay in your mouth after kissing?

Lots of other species, however, are less common. Intimate kissing exposes you to a gigantic number of bacteria and other micro-organisms. In just 10 seconds, you will exchange about 80 million of them. Research carried out by Professor Remco Kort (TNO) for Micropia made that clear.

Can u get an STD from eating someone out?

Yes, it's possible to get an STD from receiving oral sex without a condom or dental dam. Herpes can be easily spread from one partner to another during oral sex because it's passed through skin-to-skin contact and not just fluids. Other STDs, like gonorrhea and chlamydia, can infect the throat.

Is French kissing safe?

Kissing. Saliva carries minuscule traces of the virus, but this isn't considered harmful. Kissing, even “French” or open-mouth kissing, won't transmit HIV. Blood, however, does carry HIV.

Is kissing safe STD?

Although kissing is considered to be low-risk when compared to intercourse and oral sex, it's possible for kissing to transmit CMV, herpes, and syphilis. CMV can be present in saliva, and herpes and syphilis can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, particularly at times when sores are present.

Can you get STD from French kissing?

Deep or French kissing, where you and your partner touch your tongues together while you kiss, can also increase your risk of infection. That's because you expose yourself to more potentially infected tissue in your partner's mouth. Syphilis can become severe or fatal if it's left untreated.

What can you catch from saliva?

That said, you'd be surprised by what can work their way from your saliva into your nose, throat and lungs:
  • Rhinovirus (colds)
  • Flu virus.
  • Epstein-Barr virus (mononucelosis, or mono)
  • Type 1 herpes (cold sores)
  • Strep bacteria.
  • Hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
  • Cytomegalovirus (a risk for babies in the womb)

Can you get STDs from sharing drinks?

No, you can't get herpes from sharing drinks and meals. Herpes is spread by touching, kissing, and sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can be passed from one partner to another and from one part of the body to another. Brief skin-to-skin contact is all that's needed to pass the virus.

How did the first person get STD?

At some point - thought to be at least before 1930 - humans ate some chimpanzees infected with the SIV virus which mutated into HIV. It might be difficult to say who was actually the first to catch it; in fact there may have been several simultaneous infections.

What is oral sexually transmitted diseases?

Oral sex refers to when a person puts their mouth, tongue, or lips on the genitals or anus of another person. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that people can pass on through oral sex can infect multiple parts of the body, including the: mouth. throat. genitals.

Can you get an STD from a virgin?

A couple can't create an STD from nothing. But just because someone says they're a virgin doesn't necessarily mean they don't have an STD. STDs are not only passed through genital-to-genital contact. Condoms are the only way to protect yourself from STDs when you have vaginal or anal sex.

What happens when you kiss someone with bad teeth?

Depending on both of your oral healthcare habits, that bacteria can cause gingivitis, which is a mild form of gum disease. They can pass that bacteria to you via kissing, which can potentially result in the typical inflamed, red gums that signal gingivitis, says Pruett.

Can you get sick from kissing someone with bad teeth?

Kissing can transmit many germs, including those that cause cold sores, glandular fever and tooth decay. Saliva can transmit various diseases, which means that kissing is a small but significant health risk.