NIH scientists show in mice that "stomach viruses" spread through saliva

A study published in the scientific journal Nature on determind that in mice, stomach viruses such as norovirus can be spread through saliba, which represents a new route of transmission for these diarrhea-producing viruses. These findings are not yet confirmed in humans.

"The transmission of these so-called enteric viruses through saliva suggests that coughing, talking, sneezing, sharing food and utensils, and even kissing all have the potential for spreading the viruses. The new findings still need to be confirmed in human studies. "

Source: NIH

NIH scientists discover norovirus and other “stomach viruses” can spread through saliva

For further reading, you can find the original study here:  Enteric viruses replicate in salivary glands and infect through saliva. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04895-8. URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04895-8

Funding: Division of Intramural Research of the NHLBI, part of NIH. Additionally, the research involved collaboration with two laboratories at the NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: the Adeno-associated Virus Biology and Utilization for Gene Transfer lab (ZIA-DE000695) and the Neuronal and Progenitor/Stem Cell Function During Salivary Gland Development lab (ZIA-DE00722).