So it is 2019 and apparently, you need to educate people about why they shouldn't lick food kept on the grocery store shelves. Viral videos of miscreants licking ice creams and spitting into sweet tea and mouthwashes are going viral and it is beyond gross. A woman who licked a tub of Blue Bell Ice Cream and kept it back on the shelf was recently nabbed by Texas Police and soon after that, a notorious Walmart shopper spit mouthwash back into the bottle and made a video of it. While such videos are disgusting to watch, they can turn into a major health menace in no time. The people who may unknowingly purchase these products may fall prey to the infections and diseases caused by the transfer of spit and germs. Contamination of food items with spit may lead to massive health issues that can diseases.  Viral Video of Man Spitting Into Arizona Sweet Tea at a Grocery Store and Putting It Back Is Disgusting Netizens.

Health issues Caused by Saliva

  • Cold and flu: Cold and flu can be easily transmitted by saliva exchange. Even generally, by kissing or coming in close contact with people suffering from cold and flu can put you at risk.After Ice Cream Licking Girl, Another Walmart Shopper Spits Mouthwash Back Into the Bottle, Disgusting Video Goes Viral.

  • Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis, or mono): Also known as Human gammaherpesvirus 4, is one of eight known human herpesvirus types in the herpes family. One can easily contact the disease by the exchange of saliva, although it is one of the most common viruses in humans.

  • Type 1 herpes aka cold sores: This type of virus can easily affect you if there is any kind of saliva exchange from the person affected by the virus. Cold sores are usually caused by HSV type 1 and you come into contact with people or things that carry the virus.

  • Strep bacteria: Strep throat is caused by infections caught from people who have it via sneezes or shared foods and drinks. Saliva exchange can and food contaminated with the saliva of an infected person can infect other healthy people.

  • Hepatitis B and hepatitis C: One of the most common health issues that can spread from saliva are both hepatitis B and C infections and hepatitis C is more likely to turn into a chronic condition than hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids.

Note: AIDS virus (human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV) is not transmitted through saliva.

Also, you must note that you may not necessarily catch these diseases if you consume saliva tampered foods, however, there is always a risk.

How to Protect Yourself From Saliva Contaminated Foods?

It is sad that we are living in a world where people are purposely contaminating foods at grocery stores with their saliva by licking and spitting and leaving it on the shelves for others to buy but regardless, you must protect yourself at all cost.

Few things you can do to protect yourself:

1. Buy sealed products only.

2. Avoid buying products that have the potential to be tampered with.

3. If the products are washable, please clean them well before purchasing.

4. Freezing foods can kill the germs as well.

5. Sterilising certain products can also help.

The reason behind these young kids spitting, licking and tampering edibles from supermarkets and grocery stores only to leave it back on to the shelf for others to purchase is still unknown. Moreover, they are posting these videos online craving for attention, views and likes online. Strict actions should immediately be taken because public health is put at stake.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2019 04:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).