MELBOURNE: If you thought a kiss was just a kiss, think again, as the simple pleasure now comes with a health warning – it can cause cold sores. The Australian Herpes Forum, which is to launch an awareness campaign, has warned that kissing is the main transmission of herpes. The symbol of affection “poses a danger to both adults and children.”
“No parent who kisses their child, or partner who kisses their girlfriend, wants to pass on the herpes simplex virus (HSV), but people need to be aware that this is the main mode of transmission. Once infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2, the virus stays in your body for life and can reactivate at any time,” Australian media quoted AHMF executive director Tricia Berger as saying.
“If you have a sore in your mouth or near a cold sore, you are likely to pass the virus on to someone you kiss. It is also possible to transmit the virus even if there are no obvious sores or symptoms, but the risk is higher if the sores are visible,” said Berger.
HSV-1 is a variant of the virus otherwise known as herpes. It is usually acquired in childhood during contact, often during a kiss, with adult relatives.
Berger said the danger of herpes from kissing will be the focus of a new awareness campaign. Television and radio ads will air nationwide from August until National Herpes Day in October.
