A bacterial infection that mostly affects the lungs but can sometimes spread to other regions of the body, tuberculosis (TB) is extremely contagious. It is common knowledge that when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or simply speaks, airborne droplets can spread tuberculosis.
One can question, though, if kissing or other sexual contact can spread the illness. Non-respiratory transmission is still a worry since TB can spread to parts other than the lungs, including the lymph nodes, bones, and even the genital tract.
Although airborne transmission is emphasized in medical guidelines, it is still unclear whether TB may spread through close physical contact.
So, can tuberculosis bacteria be transmitted through kissing?
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria is the primary cause of tuberculosis, which is a lung infection, according to Dr. Vikas Mittal, a pulmonologist and head of the Wellness Home Clinic and Sleep Centre in Paschim Vihar and the director of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at C K Birla Hospital in Punjabi Bagh. As an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, it spreads by tiny airborne droplets. There is a chance that kissing could spread the infection if someone has active TB in their saliva or throat.
He does, however, note that this is not the most typical method of TB transmission. “Airborne inhalation of bacteria into the lungs continues to be the primary mode of transmission.” Since there is a likelihood of breathing in contaminated droplets during close contact during kissing, direct saliva interaction may be dangerous.
Risk of tuberculosis spreading through sexual contact, especially in cases of genital TB
Genital TB is a type of extrapulmonary TB, which means it affects organs other than the lungs, like the reproductive system, according to Dr. Mittal. Rather than being passed directly from person to person, this kind of tuberculosis is typically brought on by the bacterium spreading from another diseased area of the body.
He goes on to say, “There is not any solid proof that genital TB is transmitted during intercourse. In rare instances, there may be a danger of transmission if there are open wounds or sores, and TB germs can be found in bodily fluids. Overall, however, it is thought to be quite uncommon for TB to be transmitted sexually.
Risk of tuberculosis spreading through sexual contact, especially in cases of genital TB
According to Dr. Mittal, “Genital TB is a type of extrapulmonary TB, which means it affects organs other than the lungs, like the reproductive system.” Instead of being directly transmitted from one person to another, this type of TB is typically brought on by the bacteria spreading from another diseased area of the body.
“There is no compelling evidence that sexual contact is the means by which genital TB is transmitted,” he adds. However, body fluids can contain TB germs, and in rare instances, open wounds or sores may pose a risk of transmission. However, sexual transmission of tuberculosis is generally regarded as exceedingly uncommon.
