There are two types of herpes simplex viruses: Herpes simplex type 1 or HSV-1 , which is quite common and usually appears as occasional cold sores around the mouth, and is not an STD; and herpes simplex type 2 or HSV-2 , which most often appears as sores on or near the sex organs, which is an STD.
Kissing is a sweet way to show affection, and by no means should you be afraid of kissing the one you love or like. Like any disease, the more educated you are about the signs and symptoms of these infections, the more confident you can feel when it comes to your next smooch session. We are as confused as you are! Kissing is generally associated with a lower risk of infection, as compared to intercourse or oral sex.
However, it is possible to transmit STDs from kissing. The skin-to-skin touch during kissing as well as the involvement of saliva can cause transmission of STDs, especially when one has an infection or oral sores. Cytomegalovirus: It is a virus that can be passed through the saliva. Symptoms of this virus include a sore throat, fatigue, body ache and fever. If you're concerned about herpes and you know your partner has it , ask them to be diligent about symptoms that signal an outbreak is coming you're more likely to contract the virus during a herpes flare.
You might also want to encourage your partner to be upfront by assuring them that herpes is nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, it's ridiculously common— more than half of Americans have oral herpes , and about one out of six Americans has genital herpes, according to Planned Parenthood.
Another prevention method: If your partner has herpes, then they can chat with their doctor about taking medication that can lower their chances of spreading the virus. Syphilis occurs in four stages , according to the CDC, with different signs and symptoms associated with each stage. Secondary syphilis includes a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever , but there are no signs or symptoms during the third or latent stage of the STD. The four stage of syphilis however, known as tertiary syphilis, can be linked to severe medical problems.
Left untreated, syphilis can affect the heart, brain, and other organs of the body , according to the CDC. The infection can be passed by direct contact with a sore during the first three stages, through vaginal, anal, or oral sex—and, yes, even through kissing.
Syphilis is a bacterial STI spread through direct contact with a syphilis sore. These sores can develop on the genitals, in the mouth, or on the lips. Syphilis can also spread to a baby during pregnancy. Symptoms grow more severe as syphilis progresses. Initially, a person tends to have round, firm, painless sores. These often heal on their own within 3—6 weeks. Later, a person may develop a rough, reddish-brown rash, which may appear on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, or both.
A person may not notice the rash right away, as it may not itch. A person with syphilis may also experience :. These symptoms often resolve on their own. However, anyone with syphilis requires antibiotic treatment to prevent the disease from progressing. Within 10—30 years of the initial infection, syphilis can cause life-threatening complications.
At this stage, a doctor may refer to the issue as tertiary syphilis. Some people have latent syphilis — they experience no symptoms early on. However, if they do not receive treatment, they can develop the dangerous health issues associated with tertiary syphilis and require urgent medical care. Cytomegalovirus CMV is very common — nearly 1 in 3 children in the United States develop the infection by age 5, and more than half of the adults in the country have it by age The virus can spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, including semen, breast milk, blood, and tears.
It also spreads through contact with saliva or urine — especially in babies and younger children. In healthy people, the immune system usually prevents CMV from causing severe infection or illness. Most people with the infection are unaware that they have it. People with compromised immune function and a CMV infection may experience more severe symptoms that affect the lungs, liver, eyes, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
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