Doctors Sound the Alarm: Your Kiss Could Be a Silent Killer for Newborns
Byline: IDNN HealthDesk
Two leading paediatricians in Nigeria have issued a stern public health warning: don’t kiss babies on the lips — especially if you’re not an immediate caregiver.
Dr. Abdurrazzaq Alege of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, and Dr. Oluwabunmi Mokuolu of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital said newborns are extremely vulnerable to infections due to their still-developing immune systems, and kissing puts them at grave risk.
“This form of affection, though innocent, could lead to catastrophic infections for the baby,” Dr. Alege explained. “You’re introducing bacteria, viruses, even fungi — sometimes without knowing it.”
Real Threats: HPV, Cold Sores, Oral Thrush, Deadly Viruses
Among the risks outlined:
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HPV (Human Papillomavirus): Can be transmitted through oral contact and is a known cause of cervical and oral cancers.
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Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex Virus): Highly contagious and potentially fatal in infants.
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Oral Thrush (Fungal Infections): Passed unknowingly from adults to babies with underdeveloped immune responses.
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Respiratory Illnesses & Allergens: A simple cold in an adult can be life-threatening in a newborn.
“A newborn isn’t equipped to fight what a grown adult’s body shrugs off. And most people don’t even know they’re carriers,” Dr. Mokuolu noted.
She warned that colds, viral infections, and even common bacteria can cause serious complications — and even death — if passed to a baby at the wrong time.
Kiss, But With Care
The doctors recommend safer alternatives:
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Kiss the cheek or forehead, never the lips.
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Wash hands before carrying a baby.
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Avoid all physical contact when you have flu-like symptoms.
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Don’t allow strangers to hold or kiss newborns without permission.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) supports these warnings, stating: “Parents and relatives with cold sores should especially avoid kissing babies. Their immune systems are not fully developed until at least six months.”
A Cultural Wake-Up Call
In Nigeria — where affectionate expressions often include kissing babies — this warning may clash with tradition. But the experts are adamant: safety must come first.
“This isn’t about fearmongering,” said Dr. Alege. “It’s about protecting children who can’t protect themselves.”
📸 Graphic Caption: Doctors warn: a kiss on a baby’s lips may transmit viruses and infections — including cold sores, HPV, and fatal fungal infections.
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