Is Helicobacter pylori contagious?
Disease description:
My father, who is 45 years old this year, recently experienced symptoms of acid reflux, stomach pain, and vomiting. He went to the hospital and underwent a gastroscopy and H. pylori test, and was diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori infection. I would like to ask, is Helicobacter pylori contagious?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic bacterium capable of surviving on the human gastric mucosa. It is infectious and primarily spreads via oral-oral or fecal-oral routes.
Close contact among family members is a common mode of transmission, such as sharing eating utensils and kissing. Additionally, unhygienic food and water sources can also act as transmission media. Helicobacter pylori may also spread via gastro-oral routes, as the bacteria may be present in vomit, and improper handling could lead to transmission. Infection with Helicobacter pylori can cause chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even increase the risk of gastric cancer. Once infected, appropriate isolation measures should be taken to avoid sharing eating utensils and personal items with family members, along with standardized treatment to reduce the risk of transmission. For uninfected individuals, attention should be given to personal hygiene, especially hand cleanliness, and avoiding consumption of inadequately washed or cooked food to prevent infection.
To prevent Helicobacter pylori infection, maintaining good personal hygiene habits is essential. Avoid sharing eating utensils with infected individuals, implement portioned meals, and ensure proper disinfection of tableware to reduce infection risks. If concerns or symptoms arise, prompt medical attention is recommended. Upon diagnosis, eradication therapy usually involves triple or quadruple therapy—typically a proton pump inhibitor combined with two or three antibiotics—with a treatment course generally lasting 10 to 14 days.
