From affection to infection: Understanding the risks of kissing infants: A review

Abstract

Although it’s a typical and loving gesture, kissing newborns carries a considerable danger because it could spread infections. Due to immature immune systems and incomplete vaccination histories, newborns are especially susceptible to respiratory viruses like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), bacterial pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Group A Streptococcus, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Despite the risks, many parents and other caretakers are ignorant of them and frequently permit intimate contact with guests who might be unintentionally carriers of infectious pathogens. This overview looks at the several infections that can spread by kissing, the possible effects on a newborn’s health, and the precautions experts advise taking to reduce the dangers.