The unromantic truth about why we kiss - to spread germs

 

 

By Fiona Macrae

Last updated at 8:05 AM on 31st October 2009

 

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It is an international symbol of love and romance. But the kiss may have evolved for reasons that are far more practical - and less alluring.

British scientists believe it developed to spread germs.

They say that the uniquely human habit allows a bug that is dangerous in pregnancy to be passed from man to woman to give her time to build up immunity.

 

Pucker up: Kissing the same person for about six months provides optimum protection from potentially deadly germs, says Dr Colin Hendrie

 

Cytomegalovirus, which lurks in saliva, normally causes no problems. But it can be extremely dangerous if caught while pregnant and can kill unborn babies or cause birth defects.

These can include problems ranging from deafness to cerebral palsy.

 

 

 

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Writing in the journal Medical Hypotheses, researcher Dr Colin Hendrie from the University of Leeds said: 'Female inoculation with a specific male's cytomegalovirus is most efficiently achieved through mouth-to-mouth contact and saliva exchange, particularly where the flow of saliva is from the male to the typically shorter female.'

Kissing the same person for about six months provides optimum protection, he added.

 

During a relatively chaste first kiss, just a small amount of virus is passed to the woman, cutting her odds of becoming ill.

 

Don't fancy yours much: The cytomegalovirus up close

 

As the relationships progresses and the kisses become more passionate, her immunity builds up.

By the time she becomes pregnant, the odds of her unborn baby becoming infected are much lower.

 

Previously scientists have claimed that kissing acts as a form of evolutionary quality control, with saliva holding clues to fertility, health and genes.

But the psychologists from Leeds and the University of Central Lancashire said these things can be judged without getting quite so intimate.

Dr Hendrie said: 'Information concerning body tone, smell, reproductive condition, disease state and, of course, personal physical and oral hygiene can all be gained solely from close physical proximity.'

'The small amount of additional information from kissing is an unlikely pressure for its development.'

from the male to the typically shorter female.'

:uhoh: :angry: hipofobic people!

 

funny how that article assume women can get pregnant after kissing. :rolleyes:

:uhoh: :angry: hipofobic people!

 

funny how that article assume women can get pregnant after kissing. :rolleyes:

 

I think you might have misread it.............................. :rolleyes:

Mark and Ari sitting in a tree..

I think you might have misread it.............................. :rolleyes:

i've read it... it simply says that virus on saliva help to build up immunity, that is better to have in case we catch or develop other viruses in a near future, right?

 

but the constant thing on the article is the soon a baby after simply kissing :rolleyes:

 

 

but it reminded me a spanish sentence: "cuidadico que las manos van al pan" :lol:

 

 

nevermind. :dozey:

Mark and Ari sitting in a tree..

you are way really mistaken on that Mr. Fitz.

 

 

 

well could be i sit in a tree, sit on the branch ready to throw apples :evil:

 

 

Mark and Ari sitting in a tree

Spreading a germ that kills disease

First comes cytomegalovirus, then comes saliva

Then comes immunity to a virus

 

:wacky:

Mark and Ari sitting in a tree

Spreading a germ that kills disease

First comes cytomegalovirus, then comes saliva

Then comes immunity to a virus

 

:wacky:

* throws an apple to Fitz *

you are mistaken there boy. :whip:

Or to spread Herpes

:P

Mark and Ari sitting in a tree

Spreading a germ that kills disease

First comes cytomegalovirus, then comes saliva

Then comes immunity to a virus

 

:wacky:

 

I wouldn't give up the day job if I were you............................ :rolleyes:

Or to spread Herpes

:P

 

Or hispes??:rolleyes:

* throws an apple to Fitz *

you are mistaken there boy. :whip:

yummy, apple

 

I wouldn't give up the day job if I were you............................ :rolleyes:

Wow, thanks for reminding me how I can't get a day job since no one is hiring in this economy. Thanks a lot Mark, really makes me feel good about myself.

yummy, apple

.

rotten apple be yummy too? :sick:

yummy, apple

 

 

Wow, thanks for reminding me how I can't get a day job since no one is hiring in this economy. Thanks a lot Mark, really makes me feel good about myself.

 

Well don't try to get work as a poet, anyway........................ :rolleyes: