Newbie - FAQ
Kissing is not generally considered a likely transmission vector for STDs; though it is fairly well established as a vector for mono, colds, the flu, etc.
I'm certainly not saying that folks shouldn't kiss; only pointing out that, at least theoretically, it is far from risk-free.
In fact, just breathing the same air as another person (malls, airplanes, etc.) can spread illness.
I don't expect folks to all jump into a bubble because of germ phobias. (*chuckle*)
After all, a person could get a paper cut while stamp collecting, and thereby become infected with MRSA and die.
You can't eliminate risk and still live a useful life. But you can manage risk.
For you, the risks of transmission of disease are on the acceptable side of the spectrum for BBBJ. Looking at not just what can be spread, but the odds of a particular disease being spread, indicate it is not a particularly dangerous activity. (Compared, say, to BBFS.)
For me, the risks are right on the borderline; perhaps because I know a guy who got chlamydia that way. Because I know someone who got a disease -- the risks become more real than academic. I'm also aware that such germs, in a high promiscuity environment (such as the hobby) tend to be more virulent than otherwise identical germs contracted in a low promiscuity environment.
We all have our levels of risk tolerance based upon not just statistics, but what we've seen or what has happened to us.
One thing that, admittedly, slightly skews my perception of matters is that I've been playing with germs since I was 10 years old; and am thus more acutely aware of them than most.