Warning On Deep Kissing, Hiv

ATLANTA - Government scientists reiterated their warning that HIV-infected people should avoid deep kissing after a report that a man with bleeding gums apparently transmitted the virus to a woman through a kiss.

It was the first reported case of HIV transmission through a kiss, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized that the virus was transmitted via the man's blood, not his saliva. There are no reported cases of people becoming infected with the AIDS virus through saliva.

The CDC said the case is the very reason why, beginning in 1986, they started cautioning couples against deep kissing if one of them has the AIDS virus. Scientists are mostly concerned because of the possibility of bleeding gums - not saliva.

"It's not likely, but we believe it can happen and that is the importance of this case," said Dr. Scott Holmberg, a CDC epidemiologist.

The man and woman had gum disease and poor oral hygiene. Her gum disease had weakened and thinned her gums, making it easier for the virus to get into her blood.

Researchers have found a protein in saliva that keeps the virus from infecting white blood cells.

Dr. Jerome Groopman, of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, said he encourages HIV-positive patients to restrict themselves to hugging and cheek-kissing.