dantechviews.com – When the family gathers during Eid, there will definitely be several cousins or nephews who are still babies. Seeing these adorable people, I really want to stroke or kiss them.
Even though it seems simple, it turns out that kissing babies can harm their health. This is because babies’ thin skin and weak immune systems make them more sensitive to touch, including kisses. Therefore, let’s find out what are the dangers of kissing a baby.
The Dangers of Kissing Babies Carelessly
The following diseases can occur due to careless kissing of a baby:
1. RSV Virus Infection
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a virus that infects the lungs or respiratory tract. This virus is very contagious and generally attacks children or babies, making it difficult for them to breathe.
In older children, the symptoms can be mild and similar to the common cold, but in babies, this condition can be serious and potentially fatal. RSV can cause severe breathing problems and can affect a baby’s heart and brain, especially premature babies who tend to have weak immune systems.
2. Herpes Simplex Type 1
Also known as cold sores or oral herpes, this disease is perhaps the most dangerous disease that occurs in babies, as a result of being kissed by another person.
This disease occurs because the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV 1), can be transmitted through kissing, even just a kiss on the hand. Initially, abrasions will form around the lips and mouth, then spread to other parts of the face such as the nose, cheeks and chin.
Not only that, if not treated immediately, herpes in babies can also cause brain inflammation. Remember, if this virus has entered the body, it will last for life until the baby is an adult. So, keep your baby from being kissed by random people or those diagnosed with type 1 herpes.
3. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (PTKM)
This disease generally occurs in children under 10 years of age. Transmission can be through physical contact such as hugging or kissing a baby.
Fever, mouth ulcers, boils and skin rashes around the mouth, hands and feet are signs that a child has contracted this disease. Even though it is not actually fatal, PTKM can cause problems in babies who have weaker immune systems.
4. Allergies
Kissing a baby can actually trigger allergies. Adults usually use skin care products or cosmetic products that contain chemicals. If a baby is exposed to these chemicals, it can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
Apart from that, people who have recently consumed foods such as dairy products, nuts, or allergenic foods in general, if they kiss the baby directly, the baby will be exposed to the allergen and risk causing an allergic reaction.
Apart from kissing, there are also other conditions that cause allergies in babies. To find out more details, please visit the following page, “3 Conditions that Can Cause Allergies in Babies.”
5. Cavities
The main cause of cavities is not maintaining oral and dental hygiene. However, a fact that you may rarely hear is that cavities in babies can occur due to the streptococcus mutans bacteria.
Well, this bacteria is in saliva and can be transmitted to children through kissing, sharing food with children, or blowing on children’s food.
6. Weakened Immune System
Babies are most susceptible to illness during the early months when their gut bacteria are still developing. Therefore, any child or adult who wants to come into contact with babies must ensure that their hands are completely clean and have no signs of infectious diseases.
Usually adults or children are not aware of the disease they are carrying, then they transmit the disease to babies by kissing the baby.
If this happens, babies have to fight germs and viruses with their weak immune systems, and as a result babies become sick very easily.
These are some of the diseases that can occur due to careless kissing of babies. From now on, if you want to touch or kiss a baby, you should make sure you are healthy and your hands are really clean. Don’t forget to ask permission from the baby’s parents first, before touching him.
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