For generations, a final kiss on the forehead of a deceased loved one has been a sacred, deeply human act—a tender farewell that helps grieving hearts begin to heal.
But in recent years, some medical professionals—like Dr. Viktor Ivanovik, a Moldovan physician with over 300,000 followers—have issued a gentle but firm warning: in certain circumstances, that final kiss could carry risk.
His message went viral—and sparked intense debate.
Was he promoting fear? Or offering a necessary caution in an age of infectious disease?
The truth lies somewhere in between.
This isn’t about denying love.
It’s about honoring both the departed and the living—with awareness, respect, and care.
🦠 The Medical Reality: What Happens to the Body After Death?
When a person dies, their body doesn’t instantly become sterile. In fact:
- Bacteria and viruses can remain active for hours or even days, depending on the cause of death and environmental conditions.
- Infectious diseases like tuberculosis, MRSA, hepatitis, or respiratory viruses (including influenza and SARS-CoV-2) can linger in bodily fluids, skin, and mucous membranes.
- Embalming delays but doesn’t eliminate all pathogens—especially if performed hours after death.
⚠️ Key fact: The risk isn’t from “death itself,” but from how the person died. If they passed from a contagious illness, traces of that illness may still be present.
Dr. Ivanovik’s warning wasn’t blanket—it was contextual:
“If someone died from an infectious disease, close contact—even a kiss—can transmit germs, especially to vulnerable people like children, the elderly, or those with weakened immunity.”
🌍 A Tradition Across Cultures—And Why It Matters
