From the Guidelines
H. pylori is considered contagious, but the risk of transmission is relatively low. It is typically spread through close contact with an infected person, contaminated food or water, or poor hygiene 1. To minimize the risk of transmission, it is recommended to practice good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly, especially after using the bathroom or before eating.
- The infection is generally acquired in childhood, especially via transmission within families 1.
- Improvements in sanitation, standards of living, and housing, especially provisions for indoor plumbing and clean water, have resulted in a marked fall in the prevalence of many infectious diseases, including H. pylori gastritis 1.
- If you are diagnosed with H. pylori, your doctor may prescribe a combination of medications, such as amoxicillin 500mg twice a day, clarithromycin 500mg twice a day, and lansoprazole 30mg twice a day, for 7-14 days to eradicate the infection 1.
- It is essential to complete the full treatment course as directed by your doctor to ensure effective treatment and prevent transmission to others.
- Active screening of newcomers to the high-risk community and monitoring of post-eradication subjects are also recommended to eliminate any potential risk of transmission to the infected person’s next generation of relatives 1.
From the Research
Transmission of Helicobacter pylori
The transmission of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a complex process that is not yet fully understood. However, several studies have investigated the possible modes of transmission, including:
- Person-to-person transmission, which can occur through the oral-oral or fecal-oral route 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Transmission through contaminated food and water, which may play a role in the spread of the infection, especially in areas with poor hygiene and sanitation practices 2, 3, 5
- Transmission through contact with infected animals, such as sheep and cows, which may serve as reservoirs for the bacteria 2, 3
Risk Factors for Transmission
Several risk factors have been identified that may increase the likelihood of H. pylori transmission, including:
- Poor socioeconomic status and hygiene practices 2, 3, 5
- Contaminated food and water 2, 3, 5
- Crowded living conditions and institutionalization 2, 5
- Contact with infected family members or caregivers 2, 5
Evidence for Contagiousness
While the exact mode of transmission is still unclear, the majority of studies suggest that H. pylori is contagious and can be spread from person to person, either directly or indirectly through the environment 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The detection of H. pylori DNA in vomitus, saliva, dental plaque, gastric juice, and feces also supports the idea that the bacteria can be transmitted through person-to-person contact or through contaminated food and water 2, 3.