Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


11

Germy Kissing Is the Point

Swapping spit boosts immunity, say scientists

Share

(Newser) – A kiss apparently is not just a kiss. An unromantic team of scientists has determined that the point of kissing is to spread germs and increase lovers' immunity and health. The bug cytomegalovirus, which is dangerous in pregnancy, is passed from smooching men to give a woman time to build immunity against it, reports the Telegraph. "Female inoculation with a specific male's cytomegalovirus is most efficiently achieved through mouth-to-mouth contact and saliva exchange," said the lead researcher. Way to kill the mood.

What germs lurk on these lips?
What germs lurk on these lips?   (?david.nathan.cox)
Sebastian Brendel of Germany kisses his girlfriend during the Canoe Sprint European Championship in Europe earlier this year.
Sebastian Brendel of Germany kisses his girlfriend during the Canoe Sprint European Championship in Europe earlier this year.   (Getty Images)
Katy Perry swaps spit with Johnny Wujek.
Katy Perry swaps spit with Johnny Wujek.   (Getty Images)
Robert Downey Jr. smooches with his wife as they arrive for the Orange British Academy Film Awards in London early this year.
Robert Downey Jr. smooches with his wife as they arrive for the Orange British Academy Film Awards in London early this year.   (Getty Images)
Oops! That won't work. Esther Vergeer of the Netherlands kisses the championship trophy after winning a women's wheelchair final match in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park early this year.
Oops! That won't work. Esther Vergeer of the Netherlands kisses the championship trophy after winning a women's wheelchair final match in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park early this year.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
11 comments
VIEWING:
 
riffran
Nov 2, 09 4:13 AM CST
I volunteer to innoculate Jessica Biel , (one can dream ya know)..lol Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
Netstorm2k9
Nov 2, 09 7:06 AM CST
LOL. Well done Riff.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
riffran
Nov 2, 09 9:32 AM CST
:)
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
EpicFailGuy
Nov 2, 09 2:14 PM CST
LOL, that made my day.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Netstorm2k9
Nov 2, 09 7:08 AM CST
So does this mean I shouldn't brush my teeth before I kiss my wife? Don't want to kill the germs. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

View all 11 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

27 Stories

E. Coli Outbreak in Northeast Ground Beef Kills 2

NY company recalls more than 500K pounds

Nov 3, 09 5:42 AM CST
(Newser) - A person each from Maine and New York has died in what authorities believe may be an outbreak of E. coli in ground beef that is suspected of sickening dozens of consumers. The suspect beef was produced by New York company Fairbank Farms, which has recalled more than half a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
food poisoning • food • E. coli • health • New York • Maine • ground beef • hamburger • women's issues • hamburger patties

tHEY'RE MAGICALLY NUTRITIOUS

 Kellogg's 
 'Immunity' Claim 
 Stokes H1N1 Ire 

Company profiting from parents' swine flu fears, critics charge

Nov 2, 09 12:11 PM CST
(Newser) - Kellogg's claim that its cereal has immunity-boosting powers is a cheap way to capitalize on parents' swine flu fears, critics tell USA Today . "This one belongs in the hall of fame," says the director of Yale's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. The boxes in question announce... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Kellogg • immunity • swine flu • H1N1 virus • breakfast cereal • women's issues

 Junk Food Linked 
 to Depression 

Fatty, refined foods jack risk by 58%

Nov 2, 09 9:53 AM CST
(Newser) - Feeling blue? Put down the cookies: Eating a diet rich (or, should we say, poor) in processed foods increases the risk of depression, a study finds. British scientists studied 3,500 adults over five years; those who ate mainly fried, processed, refined, high-fat foods had a 58% greater risk of... More »

MORE ABOUT:
health • depression • diet • health study • women's issues • processed foods

27 Stories


Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
pregnancy • health • birth • kiss • immunity • French kissing • fetal health • women's issues

from our news partners