HIV and Kissing

Ok, so this week I decided to take the native transfusion if my life was on the line. I made this decision because just like any medical procedure there is risk, but you take that risk to become healthier in the future. I thought about it and waiting for American blood was just too risky as my life was in danger waiting for blood that might not even come in time.

Moreover, last week I wrote about HIV and Sex. I will continue to write about how HIV affects sex and everything that comes with it such as kissing, emotion, and etc. This subject interest me because HIV is passed from one person to another easily through sex and other activities that come along with it. Also, most individuals use sex and the activities that come along with it as way to show affection and show someone how much they care about them. So, this week I will be talking about HIV and kissing. I came up with this topic because my brother asked me if someone could get HIV from kissing? Honestly, I did not know what to tell him so I researched it and here I am. Also, as a 23 year student I have seen many random people kissing each other. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen my friends kiss some random person at a bar, spring break, at a club, and the list goes on. Also, I am pretty sure if your reading this you have witness similar situations. However, what are the dangers of kissing a random individual that you know nothing about? What if they are infected and you do not know? Or what if they do not know? Can you get infected by kissing each other and are there any dangers in kissing. This can also apply to people in relationships and whoever is interested in this topic.

So, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that "HIV is not transmitted casually, so kissing on the cheek is safe, and even if the other person has the virus, your unbroken skin is a good barrier. Furthermore, no one has become infected from such ordinary social contact as dry kisses, hugs, and handshakes" (Can I get HIV from kissing?, 2006). But what about open mouth kissing. I see a lot of my friends open mouth kissing though, so can open mouth kissing become a danger? To answer this question, YES. According to the CDC "open mouth kissing is considered a very low-risk activity for the transmission of HIV. Prolong open-mouth kissing could damage the mouth or lips and allow the HIV to pass from an infected person to partner and then enter the body through cuts or sores in the mouth" (Can I get HIV from kissing?, 2006). The CDC even goes on to say that because of this possible risk, it recommends against open-mouth kissing with an infected partner. The CDC also cites a case in which a women became infected with HIV from exposure to contaminated blood during open-mouth kissing (Can I get HIV from kissing?, 2006). So there are the facts from a reliable source and the next time you open-mouth kiss some random individual you might want to think twice. Just food for the brain.

An organization in Singapore called Action For AIDS helps individuals with HIV and AIDS. Their objectives are to provide support and assistance to people living with HIV and AIDS, increase awareness, education, and understanding of AIDS and HIV infection, to combat discrimination and stigmatization of HIV and AIDS, and to encourage AIDS-related research activities in Singapore (Action for AIDS Singapore, 2009).

Sources

Web: Action For Aids (2009, Sept.). Retrieved September 16, 2009, from http://www.afa.org.sg/

Web: Can I get HIV from kissing? (2006, Oct. 20). Retrieved September 16, 2009, from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/qa17.htm