How is Helicobacter pylori transmitted?
Helicobacter pylori is mainly transmitted through oral-oral route, fecal-oral route, and iatrogenic infection. The details are as follows:
1. Oral-oral transmission
Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium that resides in the human stomach and may spread via the oral-oral route. This primarily refers to situations where healthy individuals share utensils—such as drinking cups, bowls, or chopsticks—with infected patients or come into contact with their saliva, which could lead to cross-infection.
2. Fecal-oral transmission
This occurs when healthy individuals come into contact with the feces or excreta of infected individuals without proper handwashing or disinfection. If Helicobacter pylori is ingested during eating, it may also result in infection.
3. Iatrogenic infection
If endoscopes used for examining patients infected with Helicobacter pylori are not properly disinfected or sterilized after use, subsequent patients undergoing endoscopic procedures may become infected with the bacterium.
Besides the above factors, poor living conditions and group-living settings also increase the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention at a reputable hospital. Additionally, maintaining good dietary hygiene and avoiding sharing personal items with others can help prevent disease transmission.