Kissing Can Cause Yeast Infection
Kissing offers several benefits but can become a viable avenue to transmit various diseases between partners. People can transfer disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi through saliva in a single kiss. However, you can still share a kiss with someone suffering from diseases that are not contiguous without worrying about any effects. The rest of the discussion below focuses on establishing if or not Kissing Can Cause Yeast Infection.
What is a yeast infection?
Yeast infection is a condition that is caused by a fungus known as Candida albicans, which mostly affects the mouth and the genitals. It is also referred to as oral candidiasis when it affects the mouth and vaginal or penile candidiasis when it invades the genitals. The infection presents with discharge, inflammation, and other signs when it becomes symptomatic.
Who are at Risk of Getting Yeast Infections?
The fungus, Candida albicans, lives in the human digestive system as a normal flora to help in various physiological processes within the body. The fungus causes no harm to healthy people unless its natural habitat in the human body is disrupted and the immunity compromised. These changes in the body form a viable breeding ground for the microorganism to cause candidiasis.
Some factors that may predispose you to yeast invasion include taking immune suppressant like the cancer patients, HIV, use of corticosteroid medications, diabetes, dry mouth, and chemotherapy. Infected mothers can also pass the disease to newborns through the birth canal during delivery.
Yeast Infection and Kissing
There is a popular misconception that only deep kissing can transmit the infection. Any form of kissing can cause a yeast infection if the conditions are right. It is imperative to note that candidiasis is not highly contagious and is never considered a sexually transmitted disease. However, an infected person can pass it to another through various ways, such as kissing and sexual activity.
The possibility of candidiasis occurring in uninfected people after contact will depend on their health status since the disease does not affect healthy individuals. However, it will affect you if you are exposed to risk factors that compromise your immunity and increase your vulnerability to opportunistic infections.
The Infection Transmission
Although oral candidiasis is not contagious, kissing an infected person can transmit it. Illnesses that compromise the integrity of the oral mucus membrane increase the chances of contracting yeast infection after a kiss. It is important to avoid kissing your partner until you recover if any of you is affected.
Giving blowjobs during oral sex can also spread the infection if the male partner suffers from penile candidiasis. Men get the disease after penetrative sex with a female partner suffering from vaginal candidiasis. Kissing the genitals of an affected person is another sure way of welcoming the infection, especially if your immunity is suppressed. Sharing sex toys can also increase susceptibility to yeast infections.
Prevention
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is one of the effective ways to prevent oral candidiasis. Visiting your dentist for regular checkups and preventive oral care also helps keep the opportunistic Candida balanced. Eat healthy foods with probiotics that help to keep normal flora in the mouth within the normal range. It is also important to discuss disease management with your partner and alternative intimate engagements other than kissing until the infection subsides.
You can now pass a yeast infection to your partner through kissing if Candida overgrows in your mouth to cause oral thrush. However, Candida albicans is within your body in various parts, such as the mouth, in small amounts for health benefits. The fungus will only cause yeast infection under favorable conditions that risk factors present. Ensure you seek medical attention whenever you identify signs of the disease to avoid complications and spreading it to your loved ones.