Can mouth ulcers be transmitted to a spouse?
Disease description:
These days, the mouth ulcer has been hurting severely, making it difficult to eat and speak. My spouse and I usually have close contact, so I'm worried the mouth ulcer might be contagious and spread to him. Is that really possible?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Chao
In general, mouth ulcers are not contagious and will not be transmitted to a spouse or partner.
Mouth ulcers are not infectious diseases. Their causes are complex and mostly related to factors such as vitamin deficiency, endocrine disorders, and excessive internal heat, none of which involve pathogens. Between spouses or partners, even if one person has mouth ulcers, the other will not directly contract the same condition. However, maintaining good personal hygiene habits in daily life can help prevent the spread of various infectious diseases.
Although mouth ulcers themselves are not contagious, the mucosal damage caused by ulcers may increase susceptibility to bacteria or viruses in the mouth. If there is close contact with a partner during this time, it could potentially increase the risk of transmitting contagious oral diseases, such as herpes labialis caused by the herpes simplex virus. During an outbreak of mouth ulcers, it is advisable to take preventive measures such as avoiding shared eating utensils and practicing good hygiene during kissing, to reduce the chance of cross-infection.
It is recommended that individuals with mouth ulcers maintain good oral hygiene, avoid consuming excessive spicy and irritating foods, maintain a balanced diet, increase intake of foods rich in vitamins, and maintain regular sleep patterns and a positive mental state to help prevent recurrent episodes of mouth ulcers.
