What diseases can be spread through saliva?

Several diseases can be spread through saliva, including:

1. Mumps: Mumps is a viral infection that causes swelling of the salivary glands, resulting in puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw. It is spread through direct contact with respiratory droplets or saliva from an infected person.

2. Measles: Measles is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by fever, cough, runny nose, and a red, spotty rash. It is spread through respiratory droplets or saliva from an infected person.

3. Chickenpox: Chickenpox is a common childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is characterized by an itchy rash of small blisters. Chickenpox is spread through direct contact with the rash or through respiratory droplets from an infected person.

4. Influenza (Flu): The flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It is spread through respiratory droplets or saliva from an infected person. Symptoms may include fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, and headache.

5. Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is spread through ingestion of contaminated food or water or through direct contact with the feces or saliva of an infected person.

6. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): EBV is a common virus that can cause infectious mononucleosis ("mono"). It is spread through contact with saliva, such as through kissing or sharing drinks. Symptoms of mono can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, fatigue, and a rash.

7. Cytomegalovirus (CMV): CMV is a common virus that can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and mouth sores. It is spread through contact with saliva, blood, or other bodily fluids.

8. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1): HSV-1 is the virus that causes oral herpes, also known as cold sores. It is spread through direct contact with the saliva or skin lesions of an infected person.

9. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): While saliva itself does not transmit HIV, the virus can be transmitted through deep kissing if there is bleeding gums or open sores in the mouth of either partner.

10. Syphilis: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. While primarily transmitted through sexual contact, syphilis can also be spread through direct contact with an infected person's open sores or saliva.