What should I do if I kissed someone with Helicobacter pylori?

　　Engaging in kissing after contracting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection can generally be managed by confirming your infection status, recommending your partner get tested, temporarily avoiding close contact to prevent transmission, jointly adjusting dietary and hygiene habits, and completing standardized treatment as directed by a physician. If any abnormalities occur, prompt medical attention is advised. Detailed explanations are as follows:

　　1. Confirm your infection status: Review whether you have been medically diagnosed with H. pylori infection or are currently undergoing treatment or follow-up. If not yet diagnosed, promptly visit a hospital for breath tests or gastroscopy to determine the infection status and overall health condition, avoiding assumptions solely based on kissing behavior.

　　2. Recommend your partner get tested: Inform your partner about your potential infection and advise them to undergo H. pylori testing. This bacterium can spread through saliva, increasing the infection risk for your partner after kissing. Early testing allows timely detection and prevents treatment delays, reducing the chance of cross-infection between both parties.

　　3. Temporarily avoid close contact to prevent transmission: Until both parties' test results are clear and the infected individual has completed standard treatment, refrain from kissing and sharing eating utensils or other behaviors that may exchange saliva. These measures help reduce the likelihood of bacterial transmission and protect uninfected individuals.

　　4. Jointly adjust dietary and hygiene practices: Improve dietary hygiene together by avoiding sharing drinks or food, promptly cleaning and disinfecting utensils after use, and thoroughly washing hands before meals and after using the toilet. These practices reduce daily bacterial transmission risks and prevent bacterial spread within families or close relationships.

　　5. Complete standardized treatment as directed by a physician: If you have been diagnosed with infection, strictly follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor, take medications on time, and do not discontinue or adjust the dosage without medical advice. After treatment, undergo follow-up testing as instructed to confirm bacterial eradication. Gradually resume intimate contact only after you have recovered and your partner's test results show no abnormalities.

　　Long-term maintenance of good dietary and hygiene practices and regular screening for H. pylori are necessary, especially for individuals whose family members have previously been infected, as additional preventive measures are crucial.