From the Guidelines
It is possible, but not highly likely, that your roommate could pass H. pylori back to you after your treatment. H. pylori is primarily transmitted through oral-oral or fecal-oral routes, so practicing good hygiene is your best defense 1. Avoid sharing utensils, cups, or toothbrushes with your roommate. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. Keep bathroom surfaces clean, particularly if you share facilities.
Key Considerations
- While reinfection is possible, the risk is relatively low in developed countries (about 1-2% per year) 1.
- Your previous treatment likely eradicated the infection completely if you followed the full course, which typically includes two antibiotics (such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, or metronidazole) plus a proton pump inhibitor for 10-14 days 1.
- If you develop symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, or bloating, consult your doctor about getting retested, especially if your roommate's strain might be antibiotic-resistant 1.
- The bacteria requires close contact for transmission, so maintaining basic hygiene practices should provide adequate protection while living with someone who has an active infection 1.
Recommendations for Prevention
- Practice good hygiene to minimize the risk of transmission.
- Avoid close contact with your roommate, especially when they are experiencing symptoms.
- Consider getting retested if you develop symptoms, especially if your roommate's strain might be antibiotic-resistant.
- Follow the recommended treatment guidelines if you are reinfected, which may include bismuth quadruple therapy or levofloxacin triple therapy, depending on suspected resistance 1.
From the Research
Risk of Re-Infection
- The provided studies do not directly address the risk of re-infection with H. pylori from a roommate after successful treatment 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it is known that H. pylori infection can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person, and living with someone who has the infection may increase the risk of transmission.
- The studies focus on the treatment and eradication of H. pylori infection, rather than the risk of re-infection 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Prevention of Re-Infection
- To minimize the risk of re-infection, it is essential to practice good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly, especially after using the bathroom or before eating 4, 5.
- Additionally, avoiding sharing personal items, such as utensils or toothbrushes, can help reduce the risk of transmission.
- There is no specific guidance in the provided studies on how to prevent re-infection from a roommate with H. pylori 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Treatment and Eradication
- The studies discuss various treatment options for H. pylori infection, including triple therapy, quadruple therapy, and salvage therapies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The effectiveness of these treatments can vary depending on factors such as antibiotic resistance and patient compliance 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The provided studies do not address the specific situation of re-infection from a roommate, but rather focus on the treatment and eradication of H. pylori infection in general 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.