Are mouth ulcers contagious?
Mar 03, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Chao
Introduction
Whether oral ulcers are contagious depends on their cause. If they are non-specific oral ulcers, they generally are not contagious. However, if the ulcers are caused by conditions such as herpetic gingivostomatitis or hand-foot-and-mouth disease, they may be contagious. To prevent the spread of infection, it is recommended to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid sharing utensils, towels, or other personal items with others, especially when suffering from oral ulcers.
In general, whether oral ulcers are contagious depends on the underlying cause. If the ulcer is non-specific, it typically is not contagious; however, if the oral ulcer is caused by herpetic gingivostomatitis, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, or similar conditions, it may be contagious. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive treatment under the guidance of a physician. Detailed analysis is as follows:
If the oral ulcer is non-specific, such ulcers are usually caused by local trauma, stress, malnutrition, or immune system abnormalities, and are not contagious. Non-specific oral ulcers may be related to genetic, immune system, or environmental factors, rather than being transmitted from an infectious source. Therefore, they cannot be transmitted to others via contact, droplets, or food.
If the oral ulcer is caused by conditions such as herpetic gingivostomatitis or hand-foot-and-mouth disease, it is contagious to a certain degree. These diseases are typically caused by viral infections, and the viruses can spread to others via droplets, saliva, or direct contact. Therefore, when coming into contact with patients suffering from such conditions, cross-infection should be avoided.
To prevent the spread of infection, it is recommended to maintain good personal hygiene habits and avoid sharing personal items such as eating utensils and towels with others, especially when suffering from oral ulcers.
