Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Kissing 201: Bad News And Good News

The bad news is that you can catch contagious diseases from kissing. Colds, Influenza (including the Swine Flu), Herpes Simplex, Mononucleosis, and Meningitis are among the illnesses that are commonly spread when infected droplets are passed from a contaminated person to a healthy one. Saliva and mucus from the nose and throat are the culprits.

Obviously, you shouldn’t kiss anyone (not even someone you love) who is visibly sick unless you’re comfortable playing Russian Roulette with your health. Always, be on the look out for runny noses, coughs, and cold sores which are among the easiest symptoms to notice. Don’t kiss anyone who has a fever unless you’re prepared to catch whatever it is they have. You can evaluate your partner’s body temperature before kissing them by brushing your lips across their forehead; if it feels warm (or hot) don’t go any further. You can make this look like a sexy overture and not a temp check. A little sexy moan or a tiny lick here and there while you’re lipping their forehead is sure to be convincing. If you’re really bold or simply not sure about the forehead result, suggest playing Doctor and use a thermometer. If you’re lucky, your lover will think you’re heaps of fun rather than a total nutcase.

The good news is that kissing can prevent cavities. Kissing stimulates saliva flow which then cleanses away decay producing food particles. Even better news than cavity prevention is that French kissing (aka tongue dancing) on a regular basis improves romantic relationships (marriage included). Testosterone is received when a woman French kisses her man (see Kissing 101) which revs up her sex drive. Moreover, kissing activates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that benefits both the kisser and the kissee. Dopamine is the quadruple E-rated chemical that produces Energy, Exhilaration, Euphoria, and Ecstasy.

Do the risks of kissing outweigh the benefits? Sometimes, I’m just not sure and other times, I just don’t care.

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