Recent Study Shows Kissing Can Transmit STI's

A recent study has revealed that kissing could be a possible reason behind gonorrhoea – the most antibiotic-resistant of all the sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

This is the findings of a new study published in the journal ‘The Lancet’.

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus. It used to be known as “the clap”. The bacteria are mainly found in discharge from the joystick and in vaginal fluid.

Gonorrhoea is easily passed between people through: unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex.

The new study indicated that a significant and previously unrecognised route of transmission of the bacterial infection was kissing.

In a report issued on June 6, 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said more than one million people catch a sexually transmitted disease (STD), or STI, every day across the globe, with chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis of greatest concern.

“On average, approximately one in 25 people globally have at least one of these STIs,” the world body said.

On the current study, Monash University’s Professor Kit Fairley, argued that the global sexual health community “needs to recognise that gonorrhoea is on the rise and that there should be an increased awareness of the risks of kissing as a route of transmission.”

Fairley is Director of the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre and Professor of Public Health at Monash University.