Is it Safe To Kiss Newborn Baby ? Here's What Expert Says
By Lokmat Times Desk | Updated: February 25, 2026 12:24 IST2026-02-25T12:22:34+5:302026-02-25T12:24:59+5:30
New born babies are cute and we have temptation of pampering them and kissing them all the time. This ...

Is it Safe To Kiss Newborn Baby ? Here's What Expert Says
New born babies are cute and we have temptation of pampering them and kissing them all the time. This is our way to show love to them. But in medical science it is a cute aggression. You may not have any idea that kissing small babies can be very dangerous for them. Your pampering can cause serious illness for a baby. In such a situation, parents should also avoid the temptation to kiss their babies.
Famous British doctor Sarmad Mej has posted a video on Instagram. In which he has warned people. He says that you should not kiss small babies. If you do this, the baby can become a victim of a dangerous virus for the rest of his life. The rash that comes around your lips, i.e. cold sores, is basically caused by the herpes simplex virus type - 1. This is a very dangerous virus. Which spreads through the skin or saliva. The most serious thing about this is that once it enters the body, it never disappears. The lesions heal with treatment, but the virus hides in the spinal cord and reactivates when the immunity weakens.
Many people think that they are safe because they do not have any sores or rashes on their lips. But doctors have warned about a process called asymptomatic shedding. This means that the virus can be present on the skin and in saliva without showing any symptoms, without any inflammation or sores. In such a situation, the person does not even know that he is spreading the infection. Therefore, the absence of sores or rashes on the skin is no guarantee that it is safe to kiss babies.
Health experts say that the herpes virus may be a common skin problem for adults, but it can be dangerous for babies. Babies' immunity is still developing. In such a situation, their body is not able to fight the virus. About two-thirds of the world's population, or more than 60 percent, is carrying the virus. Therefore, if an outsider kisses a baby, the baby can become infected with the virus. Their tiny bodies are not ready to fight it.
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When a baby gets infected with the HSV-1 virus, it is called neonatal herpes. Babies' bodies cannot keep the virus in one place, so the infection quickly spreads to their brain and other organs. This can cause swelling in the brain and organ failure. In some severe cases, this infection can even be life-threatening for babies. Therefore, kissing babies should be avoided. Importantly, this infection can be spread not only by kissing but also by sharing utensils or towels.
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