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Kissing: 6 Infections That Can Spread Through Saliva, Close Contact

Published

2 weeks ago

September 9, 2026

The mouth contains hundreds of different types of microorganisms, most of which are harmless. However, saliva and close mouth-to-mouth contact can also provide a route for some infections to spread.

This does not mean that every kiss will transmit a disease. The risk depends on the infection, the health of the people involved and the type of contact.

In this article, Nigerian Tribune highlights some major infections that can spread through saliva or close contact involving the mouth.

Infectious mononucleosis

Often called the kissing disease , infectious mononucleosis is commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The virus is present in saliva and can spread through kissing or by sharing drinks, food, utensils and other items that come into contact with the mouth.

Many infected people experience extreme tiredness, sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Some people, particularly young children, may have mild or no symptoms.

Because EBV can remain in saliva for a long time after infection, a person may spread the virus even when they appear completely healthy.

Herpes simplex virus

Oral herpes is commonly caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). It can spread through contact with sores, saliva or skin around the mouth. Kissing can therefore transmit the virus, particularly when an infected person has an active cold sore.

However, transmission can sometimes occur even when no visible sore is present. Oral herpes commonly causes painful blisters or sores around the lips and mouth. After infection, the virus remains in the body and can become active again.

Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, belongs to the same virus family as the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis. It can be present in saliva and spread through close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids. Many healthy people who become infected do not develop noticeable symptoms.

However, CMV can cause serious illness in people with weakened immune systems and can pose particular risks during pregnancy because infection can affect an unborn baby.

Mumps is a viral infection that spreads through respiratory droplets and saliva from an infected person. Close contact, including kissing, can therefore provide an opportunity for transmission.

The infection commonly causes painful swelling of the salivary glands, especially around the cheeks and jaw. Fever, headache, muscle aches and tiredness may also occur. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent mumps and its complications.

Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria can live in the nose and throat and spread through respiratory and throat secretions during close or prolonged contact. Kissing can therefore create an opportunity for transmission.

Although many people who carry the bacteria do not become sick, invasive meningococcal disease can develop rapidly and cause meningitis or bloodstream infection.

Symptoms such as sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, vomiting or a rapidly developing rash require urgent medical attention.

Influenza

Flu is primarily spread through respiratory droplets and small particles released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or breathes. Because kissing involves very close face-to-face contact, it can increase exposure to respiratory secretions from an infected person.

Influenza can cause fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache and fatigue. Most people recover, but the infection can become serious, particularly in older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with certain underlying conditions.

News

Six Corps Members Receive N10m Grants To Boost Agribusiness

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Six members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have received a total of N10 million in grants to expand their agribusiness ventures under the Farmers for the Future Programme.

The programme was organised on Monday by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in collaboration with the NYSC to encourage young Nigerians to embrace agriculture and develop sustainable businesses.

Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries in Abuja, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, urged Corps members to maximise the opportunities provided by the service year by venturing into commodity marketing and other viable businesses.

Nafiu said agribusiness remained a viable avenue for young people to build sustainable enterprises, create employment and generate wealth.

He also stressed the importance of value addition to the success and sustainability of business ventures, while commending BATNF for placing Nigerian youths at the centre of its entrepreneurship initiatives through value-chain development, employment creation and its partnership with the NYSC.

“I charge you to spread the news around. We have seen the outcome, and it is a good idea,” he said.

The beneficiaries are Dominic Olufemi (FC/25C/1143), who received N3 million; Temitope Adewole (ED/26A/2251), N2 million; Abdulwaheed Bala (ED/25B/1402), N2 million; Olanike Mayungbe (OG/26B/1037), N1 million; Kingsley Udoeyen (KG/26A/1735), N1 million; and Lorember Lorsue (JG/25B/1742), N1 million.

Speaking on the selection process, the Acting Director, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), Mrs Winifred Shopeka, said the programme began with an online registration portal through which Corps Members engaged in agribusiness submitted their business plans.

She said nearly 3,000 Corps members applied and underwent a rigorous selection process that produced 20 finalists.

According to her, the finalists participated in a boot camp and a final pitching session, which produced the 10 best presenters before the six ultimate winners were selected.

Shopeka said the beneficiaries had also been mentored and attached to established market operators to assist them in marketing their products.

She added that Corps Members who did not make the final stage of the competition were also trained by BATNF.

The BATNF Team Lead, Mr Oludare Odusanya, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged Corps Members engaged in agribusiness to master the fundamentals and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.

“We are happy with our collaboration with the NYSC, and it will continue,” he said.

Odusanya explained that BATNF was an independent organisation established to contribute to poverty reduction in Nigeria through sustainable agricultural practices and other interventions.

He said the Farmers for the Future Programme was instituted in collaboration with the NYSC to encourage Corps Members to venture into agribusiness and become job creators.

He added that the beneficiaries would be attached to mentors who would guide them towards achieving success in their respective businesses.

According to him, the programme has, since its inception, continued to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity of Corps Members.

News

CBN Reduces Interest Rate To 23%

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday announced the reduction of the interest rate, also known as Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 23 percent.

Briefing the media in Abuja, the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, said at the 307th MPC meeting held on September 22, 2026 agreed the resetting of the MPR and recaliberation of the monetary policy market.

According to Cardoso, the committe is satisfied with the disinflation progress, adding that members noted stable banking sector following successful recapitalisation.

Meanwhile, according to Nigerian Tribune, reports that that the MPC, at its 306th meeting in July 2026, disclosed its resolution to retain the interets at 26.5 percent.

According to the Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, “the Committee’s decision to maintain the current policy stance followed a thorough assessment of the balance of risks. Although headline inflation moderated marginally in June 2026, global uncertainties have heightened, due mainly to the renewed hostilities in the Middle East.

“In view of the evolving developments, maintaining a cautious monetary policy stance remains appropriate. In arriving at its decision, the Committee noted the recent resurgence of hostilities in the Middle East, with particular attention to its spillover effects on global energy prices and the potential pass-through to domestic inflation.”

News

NURTW: KWAM1 Settles Long-time Rift Between MC Oluomo, Tafa Sego

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1, has brokered a peace deal between the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) National President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, and the Lagos State Chairman of the union, Mustapha Adekunle, aka Tafa Sego.

The reconciliation took place at Ojusagbola in Ijebu, Ogun State, where several NURTW chieftains gathered for the meeting.

The development was announced on Tuesday on KWAM1’s digital media page on Instagram, alongside photographs from the meeting.

According to the post, the two union leaders have resolved their differences after years of strained relations.

“After years of an age-long rift, MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego have finally settled their differences. And from what we know now, this is final,” the post said.

The musician was said to have intervened as the Mayegun of Yorubaland, with the aim of bringing an end to the longstanding disagreement between the two NURTW figures.

“K1 acted in his role as the Mayegun of Yorubaland by seeking an end to the long-standing rift, once and for all,” it said.

The post also described the meeting as a significant step beyond previous public displays of reconciliation.

“This time, it was not just another handshake for the cameras. The two old friends and colleagues came together at Ojusagbola, with King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1) playing the peacemaker.”

Both MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego were reported to be pleased with the outcome of the intervention.

“Both parties are delighted about the new development,” the post said.

The two men had previously been allies and prominent figures within the Lagos NURTW before their relationship became strained amid disagreements linked to leadership of the union in the state.