Study Links Infant Infections to Common Gesture: kissing
Cairo, Egypt - June 20, 2024 – A concerning new report highlights a potential link between seemingly harmless acts of affection, specifically kissing infants, and a heightened risk of viral infection. The findings suggest that even healthy adults can unknowingly transmit respiratory viruses to vulnerable newborns, possibly leading to serious illness.
The study underscores a surprising danger: even full-term, healthy babies without pre-existing conditions are susceptible to severe disease when exposed to common respiratory viruses. Researchers point to several factors increasing vulnerability, including winter births, having younger siblings under three years old, and low birth weight.However, a key transmission pathway identified is close contact, notably through kissing and breathing near a baby’s face. Adults may carry viruses without exhibiting strong symptoms, mistaking them for a mild cold, and unknowingly pass them on.
Infants‘ immature immune systems and smaller lung capacity make them particularly vulnerable to rapid infection. This means even typical germs can pose a significant threat. The risk is amplified when siblings or visitors unknowingly carry and spread respiratory viruses, with kissing acting as a direct transmission route.
Public health officials advise heightened caution for babies under three months old, recommending limited exposure to others. Individuals experiencing even mild respiratory symptoms – such as a runny nose, cough, or sore throat – should avoid kissing or direct contact with newborns. Strict hand hygiene practices and reducing the number of visitors during the first few weeks of life are also strongly encouraged. Covering one’s face when coughing or sneezing is another preventative measure.