Will eating together or kissing transmit gastric ulcers?

Gastric ulcers are not caused by direct infectious pathogens. The primary cause is the self-digestion of the gastric mucosa by gastric acid and pepsin, commonly associated with factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Gastric ulcers themselves are not contagious; whether through eating or kissing, they will not directly transmit the condition to others.

A common cause of gastric ulcers is Helicobacter pylori infection. Five to seven out of ten gastric ulcer cases are attributed to Helicobacter pylori infection. Helicobacter pylori can be transmitted via oral-oral or fecal-oral routes. Therefore, there is a risk of transmission in specific situations such as sharing eating utensils or kissing.

If a gastric ulcer is caused by Helicobacter pylori infection and the patient has not yet eradicated this bacterium, there is a possibility of transmitting Helicobacter pylori via the oral route when sharing meals or kissing. However, the gastric ulcer itself will not be directly transmitted to others through shared meals or kissing.

Preventive measures include maintaining personal hygiene, avoiding close contact with individuals infected by Helicobacter pylori, and following medical advice for standardized treatment if diagnosed with a gastric ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, in order to reduce the risks of recurrence and transmission.