Most notable potential affects are gastrointestinal problems, including food poisoning and salmonella.

The best way to avoid any potential illnesses is to make sure all animals are up to date with vet appointments. Even then, people younger than 5 and older than 65 are most susceptible to health concerns, Sykes said. It's uncommon for healthy adults to get sick from kissing their dogs.

Overall, having dogs as pets is more advantageous than dangerous.

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Cooling towers for Units 4 and 3 are seen at Plant Vogtle, operated by Georgia Power Co., in east Georgia's Burke County near Waynesboro, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC