Kissing babies makes you look good and melts our hearts, which is why politicians do it to win our votes.

Not to be left behind, modern parents also share photos of themselves kissing their lovely babies on social media, and yes, it's beautiful and adorable.

But all that affection will have to be put on the back burner for the time being, so says the doctors. They have a good reason for this:

The Flu Season Is Coming Up Fast

Doctors don't want you passing on germs of this viral infection to your kids.

Think this is too drastic of a suggestion?

It's not. Get this: RSV often seems like a regular cold, and the symptoms are very similar. I'm sure you know them from experience: stuffy nose, coughing, and mild fever.

But RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) is more sinister, especially for kids under six months and small kids in general.

RSV Can Cause Pneumonia And Bronchitis In Children Under One Year In The United States.

The risk of suffering from RSV is especially high for kids who also have health issues like chronic lung and heart disease, premature birth, weak immunity, and neuromuscular disorders.

CDC says that people who have RSV show their symptoms in about 4 to 6 days after the infection. These young patients are also contagious for about 3 to 8 days.

For these young patients, the symptoms don't look as serious, as they usually comprise reduced activity levels, breathing difficulties, and irritability. Breathing difficulties are evidenced by fast breathing, flaring nostrils, or even a belly that pushes in and out.

Is There A Way To Keep The Child Safe From Infection?

The harsh truth is that RSV is pretty contagious, and it can spread through coughs and sneezes. Touching surfaces with the disease can also result in an infection if you don't wash your hands before touching your nose, mouth, and even eyes.

Good hygiene is a great way to keep your child safe from RSV. All it takes is ensuring your child and hands are properly washed with soap and warm water. Keeping common surfaces like countertops clean and disinfected can also help.

Finally, you can limit the number of people who get access to your child. This includes ensuring that the child is not touched and kissed by people who might spread the infection.

What If The Child Is Already Infected?

The first step is keeping the child from daycare or even school, so they don't spread the infection around. Also, show them how to cover their nose and mouth when they sneeze and cough.

Smoking around your child should also be a no-no, as it will make things worse.

So, the next time the urge to kiss a cute baby overwhelms you, stop and think. That kiss might make the poor innocent child's life hell if it causes an RSV infection. You don't want that to happen, right? So, hold off the kisses until the flu season is over.