For those with celiac disease, kissing can cause more than just romantic jitters. “The advice we gave about kissing and celiac disease was based on precaution and assumptions. Celiac disease affects one percent of the general population and roughly 2 million Americans have been diagnosed. For those with celiac disease, ingesting gluten causes intestinal damage even if there aren’t any immediate symptoms. Digestive Disease Week is a large gathering of physicians, researchers, and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery from around the world.