A Kiss of Death

"We came close together and then our lips touched in a kiss…” Wait a minute. Wait a minute! Where are you going with this Dr. Berry? This is a Christian magazine. Well, the above line is to capture your attention so you will want to read further. Did I succeed?
For a few moments, I want to explore the dangers of kissing. Yes you read it correctly. Dangers of a kiss. Believe it or not, a kiss can kill.
The story is reported that in 2012, 20 year-old Miriam Ducre-Lemay had a severe allergy to peanuts. This means that she would have an anaphylactic reaction if exposed to this nut, even remnants of the peanut. The result would be that her airway would swell and cut off her breathing. The brain and heart would then be deprived of necessary oxygen, and she could die. Well, she did not tell her boyfriend about this severe allergy and also she did not carry an EpiPen, two essential elements that would have rectified her ultimate demise.
The story is that her boyfriend had just eaten a peanut butter sandwich and gave Miriam a good night kiss. She soon began to have allergic symptoms and when she found out what he had eaten, she told him to call 9-1-1. She soon became unresponsive, however, and although he attempted CPR, it was too late. She died of cardiopulmonary arrest on her way to the hospital. A kiss had killed.

The above story is an extreme case of complications from a kiss and although we need to be aware, I do not in any way recommend stopping this act of affection. Yet, we all need to take precautions. There are other potential complications from this form of salutation. Let me unpack a little more. I will call them “lipstick hitchhikers”.
Ah, the kiss—Shakespeare called it “the seal of love,” but modern medicine might call it a germ-sharing handshake of the lips. While we cherish kisses as expressions of love, passion, or, occasionally, an awkward obligation at family reunions, they can also come with uninvited guests. Yes, a kiss can transmit more than affection. Now let’s have some fun with a kiss and famous writers.
The Classic: The Common Cold“What’s in a name? That which we call a cold by any other name would be just as annoying.” Apologies to Juliet, but the humble rhinovirus spreads like wildfire through kisses. Just one innocent peck can deliver the sniffles with the efficiency of next-day shipping.
Mono: The “Kissing Disease”Mononucleosis, courtesy of the Epstein-Barr virus, is, as one writer wrote, the original gangster of kissable infections. Mark Twain might have quipped, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much kissing is worse if you end up bedridden for weeks.” Expect fatigue, fever, and swollen glands as your consolation prize.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1): The Unforgettable OneKisses are memorable; herpes is unforgettable. This virus causes cold sores that occasionally pop up like uninvited party guests, especially when you are under stress. Oscar Wilde might have said, “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance… and to avoid catching cold sores in the process is a bonus.”
Meningitis: A Rare but Serious SurpriseSharing saliva via kissing can spread meningitis-causing bacteria. It’s not a common smooching souvenir, but as Hemingway might have noted, “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some become stronger, while others get antibiotics.”
Cytomegalovirus (CMV): The Stealthy IntruderCMV is a member of the herpes family that rarely causes symptoms but can complicate life for those with weak immune systems. Dickens could have said, “It was the best of kisses, it was the worst of kisses.”
Prevention: Kissing SmartBefore you panic and start blowing kisses from six feet away, relax. Most of these infections are only mildly inconvenient for healthy individuals.
A little common sense goes a long way:
• If someone’s sick, especially if they have lesions on the lips, skip the lip-lock and go for the elbow bump.
• Maintain good oral hygiene—because bad breath and germs can be tragic.
• Maybe don’t share lip balms, drinks, or those questionable gas station lollipops.

• And of course don’t just kiss any stranger that presents their lips to you. ( Did I really have to say that to you?)

Love may be blind, but germs aren’t picky.
So, the next time you lean in for a kiss, remember: Love may be blind, but germs aren’t picky. As Voltaire said, “The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.” Until then, stay healthy, and may your kisses be as safe as they are sweet!

This article can be found in this months publication of Message Magazine