Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, Dr. Gloria Amegatcher, has disclosed that engaging in deep kissing with an infected person with cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) can put you at risk of contracting the disease.
In her remarks, she said cerebrospinal meningitis is a severe condition that causes inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and if not promptly diagnosed and treated, it can lead to complications, including death.
She explained that it is most often caused by infection (viral, fungal, or bacterial) with the bacterial meningitis caused by several bacterial pathogens, including Neisseria meningitidis (Nm), Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, she noted that there was the need for heightened surveillance to deal with the outbreak of CSM in parts of Northern Ghana.
Dr. Gloria Amegatcher indicated that as professionals, they are concerned about the situation and have appealed to the government to take immediate action to prevent further damage.
When asked the mode of spread, she said the bacteria and viral meningitis are contagious and can be transmitted through tiny droplets of respiratory secretions from infected persons during close contact, such as kissing, coughing, or sneezing on someone.
She, however, ruled out that the CSM can spread through sexual intercourse but stressed if, while having sex, you engage in deep kissing with an infected person, you are at risk of contracting it.
He told host Kwabena Agyapong that ”it spreads through respiratory droplets. If I come into contact with tiny droplets of respiratory secretions from an infected person, such as kissing, coughing, or sneezing, I will contract it. If you are overcrowded or in enclosed areas such as dormitories, rooms, closed quarters, and other facilities, the disease can easily spread, especially if there is no ventilation.”
”When you mention sexual intercourse and enquire about the possibility of transmission, we can associate deep kissing. If I have the CSM and we engage in a deep kiss, I can send it to you. This is because it’s a respiratory infection. If we kiss and I have the infection, I can infect you through saliva exchange. However, it cannot be transmitted via sperm.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
