A final kiss often feels like a sacred way to say goodbye. But under certain conditions, this intimate gesture can carry hidden risks. Dr. Viktor Ivanovik, a Moldovan doctor whose TikTok advice sparked global debate, cautions: sometimes love must be shown from a safe distance. While rare, it is medically possible to contract infections from…

A final kiss often feels like a sacred way to say goodbye. But under certain conditions, this intimate gesture can carry hidden risks. Dr. Viktor Ivanovik, a Moldovan doctor whose TikTok advice sparked global debate, cautions: sometimes love must be shown from a safe distance.

While rare, it is medically possible to contract infections from the deceased. Diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, and hemorrhagic fevers may linger in bodily fluids for some time after death. That’s why health authorities warn against kissing or touching if the death was linked to a contagious illness or during outbreaks.

This doesn’t mean families must forgo meaningful goodbyes. Experts suggest alternatives—like placing a flower, leaving a note, or lighting a candle—that allow for emotional closure without physical risk. These symbolic gestures can honor a loved one just as powerfully as touch.

In the end, it’s not the kiss that defines a farewell, but the love we carry forward. Memories, rituals, and the ways we keep their legacy alive speak louder than any final gesture.