Babies are precious little things, little wonder they get so much love from almost everybody that comes their way. From their cute faces to their tiny features, you would have have children and even adults wanting to hold, kiss and cuddle them.
Despite this, a quick little kiss on a baby's face or lip can cause an infection that will pose serious health issues. This might lead to death in extreme cases.
In this article, I'll be sharing the adverse health implications of this act that looks very innocent and harmless - letting strangers or even siblings kiss babies on their lips and face.
1) Herpes Simplex Virus: This virus is very contagious and is spread by direct contact. HSV is found in basically two parts of the body; the mouth (HSV-1) and genitals (HSV-2). It causes cold sore and fever blisters around the mouth and face. Children have a higher chance of contracting this virus on contact that adults.
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| Baby with Herpes Simplex Virus 1 |
• Read more on Herpes Simplex Virus here
2) Respiratory Diseases: Respiratory Syncitial Disease is a respiratory disease that causes contraction in the airway of babies.
Owing to the fact that their lungs are small because of their tiny body, it causes inflammation in their respiratory system (Bronchiolitis). It could lead to pneumonia and could be very fatal in babies.
For this reason, it is advised to keep babies away from very large crowds.
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| Baby suffering from RSD |
3) Weakened immune system; For the first few months of existence of babies, their immune system is pretty much non existent and can be compromised.
For this reason, any adult who wishes to come in contact with a baby should wash their hands first. Even with a mild sign of an illness, they should avoid contact with or visiting new born babies.
With these two precautions in place, new born babies could be considered safe. But in a case where both measures are reached and an adult gives the baby a harmless kiss, he or she is still spreading the germs that was trying to be prevented by having his or her hands washed.
4) Stomach viruses: There is nothing more pitiful than watching your baby suffer from a stomach virus. A single kiss from an adult can put your baby in harm's way and have your baby throw up frequently and suffer from diarrhoea.
This could be very dangerous as vomiting can dehydrate a baby as he or she will lose so many bodily fluids.
5) Whooping Cough (Pertussis): Whooping cough could be very fatal for new born babies and infants. Since Whooping cough symptoms can take days and even weeks to emerge, an adult could have this disease and must have spread it by kissing a new born baby without even knowing.
6) Hand, foot and mouth disease: The enterovirus causes the hand, foot and mouth disease. This could be very contagious and make your baby uncomfortable.
Although this condition doesn't really last, it causes sore to pop up on your baby's skin, including mouth. Fever could add to their discomfort.
Since both adults and children can suffer from this, it is advisable to keep other people from kissing your child's face or mouth.
Having other people kiss your baby on the hand and leaving saliva could be harmful too. Babies put their hands in their mouth for comfort and this germ could be passed.
7) Cavity causing kisses: We all have children believe cavities are caused by not brushing and flossing their teeth right? As that may be true, it is not the whole story.
By kissing babies, you can also be passing mutans streptococcus to them. These mutans can cause cavities in their tiny teeth. You only get to find out when you book an appointment with your dentist.
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| Teeth with cavity |
8) Chemicals in make up and skin care products: Make up, moisturisers and other skin care products have been proven to contain harmful chemicals like Formaldehyde, paraben and artificial colours.
Despite this fact, men and women have not stopped applying these products in a bid to look younger, fresher and hide their "real" face. Many have even been recognised to contain endocrine interrupters that increases their chances of cancer.
Implementing the 'no kiss' rule can help protect your babies from harm that can be caused by these chemicals.
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| Make up and skin care products |
In conclusion, parents should protect their babies from direct contact with strangers and even young siblings. They should avoid very large crowds when they are out with their babies. They should implement the "no kiss" rule even among siblings and show examples by not kissing their lips and face (before vaccination). They should also ensure to handle their babies only after washing their hands properly.
We will appreciate contributions and questions in the comment box below.
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