Avoiding mouth-to-mouth spread of germs

There are prohibitions in a few cultures, including Indian cultures, that seemed to be related to the notion of ritual impurity. Sharing a cup, vessel or cutlery while eating or drinking beverages is one such prohibited habit. Tasting food using a spoon and putting it back into food being cooked is another. Ordering a dessert and sharing it with everyone around the table dipping their spoons into it is yet another. Many Indians who have spent some time in Europe or in the Americas have “learnt” to overcome these prohibitions. In fact, they find it amusing when they see some of their compatriots show inhibitions to be “westernized”!  

In a world in which virus diseases are threatening to become pandemics, the old cultural practices may be valuable to prevent saliva-borne infections. Comments are invited, particularly from medical doctors and microbiologists. Actual prevention of the spread of infections is one thing, and creating awareness of undesirable practices is another. A clear unwillingness to practice habits that could possibly harm others helps both ways.

In this context, it is worth reading about how mumps spreads and what damage it can do.

Srinivasan Ramani