Kissing: its effects and its place in post confinement time.

June 2, 2021

We have just celebrated, at the beginning of this month of July, the international kissing day. Taking different forms, and having different meanings, kissing is practiced in several parts of the world, has its share of benefits, but also comes with its health drawbacks. Overview.

Philematology is the science of kissing, and explores its biological, anatomical, and physiological foundations, just to name a few. From the friendly kiss, to the maternal kiss, or to the loving kiss, to the greeting kiss, or the ritual kiss, to the butterfly kiss, or Inuit kiss, to the kiss of Judas, to the “French kiss”, each one has a very precise place in different social norms around the world. But where does this practice come from?

Although there are few theories as to its source, some believe that kissing would come from our ancestral practices, precisely through kiss-feeding, when mothers premasticated food for their infant before feeding them through mouth-to-mouth. Others believe that this practice is innate and natural, as it is also observed in some animal species.

A kiss can be a symbol of friendly or parental affection, of love between couples, or a religious ritual, among others. It has been present in sacred books for centuries, Vedic texts dating from the 15th century BC, to the biblical texts of St Peter “Greet one another with a kiss of love”.

What are the effects caused by the act of kissing? This is an interesting question as it reveals that a simple kiss can involve between 23 and 34 facial muscles, 112 postural muscles, and can burn from 5 to 26 calories per minute. In addition, research in neuroscience has shown that kissing causes a whole series of biochemical reactions in our body: secretion of oxytocin, more commonly called the love hormone, which will lower our blood pressure and heart rate. Kissing also helps to reduce stress, with a decrease in cortisol and an increase in dopamine.

Unfortunately, as there are always two sides to every story, kissing can also be a source of infections. According to the American Journal of Medicine, “a number of pathologic organisms can be transmitted by kissing, including upper respiratory infective viruses, herpes simplex, and Epstein-Barr viruses, as well as pathogenic streptococci, syphilitic spirochetes, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria ”.

It is also to be noted that kissing was not recommended, and was even prohibited during pandemics. Thus, in the early 1600’s, Henri IV prohibited the practice of kissing in France because of the plague epidemic. Kissing is also strongly discouraged four centuries later, during a certain COVID-19 epidemic…

Where do Mauritians stand in light of this, as most of us grew up with kissing deeply rooted in our culture of greeting, or our expression of love and affection? In these post-COVID times, we must limit the expression of our feelings with members of our household only and respect the rules of social distancing. Why not an opportunity to strengthen family ties, while waiting for better days…

Prostate cancer: which symptoms should you look out for?

According to the French National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is the most common type affecting men. What are the signs that need to be taken into account? Here’s what you need to know. Although the risk of getting prostate cancer before the age of

Cataract surgery: the aftermath

Your doctor says that you should undergo a cataract surgery… What should you expect in the days following the operation? What precautions should be taken? Dr. Li Yim, an ophthalmologist at the Clinique Bon Pasteur, has accepted to answer all our questions.

How to handle gastroenteritis in babies

While it should only cause a temporary discomfort, gastroenteritis—an infection of the digestive tract—can sometimes have harmful consequences in infants and young children. Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, fever, loss of appetite… How to prevent

An overview of the digital world with Bhavna

Did you know that it was a woman who invented the first real computer program in 1843? In a field which has essentially been dominated by men, many women have nevertheless brought much progress! Now in 2023, women inclusion in the digital world is put

When is orthopedic surgery required?

Orthopedic surgery Specialising in the surgical treatment and correction of various deformities and injuries, orthopedic surgery definitely covers a large spectrum. Yet, some of the more common conditions are a daily reality for most self-respecting

Osteoarthritis: a painful chronic disease

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, often associated with ageing. It is thought to be caused by the ageing of the joints, but can affect individuals of any age, and more particularly athletes and people suffering from obesity. On this World

Physiotherapy: a crucial health reflex

Physical pain, dizziness, lung problems, psychiatric disorders, osteoarthritis… Is there anything that physiotherapy does not treat? With the aim of improving the patient’s physical condition, physiotherapy uses various means to design the best

Scheduled delivery: how to prepare my admission to the clinic

As your pregnancy is coming to full term, you realise that Mother Nature is being temperamental: your delivery will thus have to be scheduled. What are the reasons behind such a decision? How to get prepared? Here is the answer in three parts. What are the

You are expecting your first child: all you need to know about the pediatrician’s role

Here it is: you are expecting your first child and asking yourself a lot of questions… What is exactly the role of a paediatrician? Why is it important to have one? When to look for one? Dr. Alleesaib, paediatrician at the Clinique Bon Pasteur, is answering

Breastfeeding: a treasure of good things

While the benefits of breastfeeding have been long proven, many mothers become quickly discouraged. Lack of time, stressful sessions, lack of psychological support, incorrect information… And yet, breastfeeding is all good! We discussed the matter with Dr.

When junk food kills more people than smoking does

Launched in the United States, where the consumption of ultra-processed foods is one of the worst habits, National Junk Food Day is an annual reminder of the dangers of unhealthy food. Indeed, it is thought to be responsible for one in five deaths, even more

Elder abuse: a burning issue

Thanks to phenomenal medical and technological progress, people tend to live longer every year. However, with a growing ageing population, the WHO reports that by 2021, 1 in 6 elderly people are likely to have been subjected to abuse. On this World Elder

System administrators: a demanding and necessary profession

When we talk about a clinic’s efficiency, we immediately associate it with the care organization and teams. However, many of our behind-the-scenes colleagues are vital to making the Clinic efficient and productive. Among them are the system

True/False: everything you need to know about vitiligo

Even today, vitiligo is a condition that is still causing researchers much concern! Affecting about 1% of the population, it is expressed by a gradual depigmentation of the skin that irregularly affects certain parts of the body, particularly the face,

Youth skills: a treasured legacy to be cherished

July 15th marks World Youth Skills Day and celebrates the importance of teaching young people all the relevant skills needed to achieve success in employment, getting a decent job and becoming an entrepreneur. The Clinique Bon Pasteur has been participating

Check-up: for whom and why?

We often hear about the importance of having a health check-up. As a preventative health care measure, it helps to identify potential pathologies before they appear or become serious. Who should have a check-up? How does it work? Interview with Dr Panchcoory,

Thyroid gland: a great centre for endocrine control

Each year on May 25th, the thyroid gland is given special attention. And for good reason! Despite its small size, this gland controls many of our body’s essential functions. And since thyroid disorders are among the most common endocrine problems,

Postpartum depression: when the mind is coming apart

While the baby blues, which is often associated with postpartum hormonal shifts, is rather common after birth, postpartum depression affects up to 20% of new mothers, the WHO reports. How to explain such phenomenon? What are the signs to watch for? How to

All about the seasonal flu vaccine

Temperatures have started to drop and evenings are turning milder. Winter is beginning to show its face, no doubt about it! With it comes the onset of seasonal flu, which can be prepared for with the vaccines offered by the Clinic. Who are they for? When to

Accurate and effective diagnostic tools for pulmonary imaging at the Clinic

Radiology and pulmonology : what pulmonary imaging can reveal about your lungs Everyday your lungs are doing an extraordinary job: bringing oxygen into the blood and driving out the carbon dioxide produced by the cells. They may be nevertheless affected by