Originally Posted by
corporate-wage-slave
Way off topic, but the way the CofE copes with this is that communicants can retain the host (bread) and then dip it into the wine instead, rather than drinking from the chalice, a process technically called intinction. Anyone with a cold or other illness is invited to do this rather than drink the wine directly. Catholics and Orthodox can (I believe) do this too. Not that I've ever heard of anyone having a problem here, and unlike flying this has been going on for centuries.
Yes, I'm not saying it isn't an acceptable risk, I was being gently sarcastic to make my point to illustrate the normal exposure to saliva that may be in our lives, but you're right this is drifting way OT
The chewing gum situation the OP describes is really most unpleasant and it was a very unsociable act, however I don't see any particular health risk.