Is Chronic Gastritis Contagious? Can You Eat Together With Someone Who Has It?

Chronic gastritis itself is not contagious, but whether it can spread depends on the underlying cause. Below are the key points to consider:

1. Helicobacter pylori infection: a contagious bacterial cause

If chronic gastritis is caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, then it can be contagious. H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can spread through saliva and contaminated food or water. Eating together without using serving spoons or chopsticks increases the risk of transmission. People infected with H. pylori may develop chronic active gastritis, although many individuals remain asymptomatic. In fact, a large number of H. pylori carriers do not experience noticeable symptoms, but medical tests such as endoscopy or biopsy may reveal signs of inflammation in the stomach lining.

2. Drug-induced gastritis: non-contagious but hygiene still matters

Another common cause of chronic gastritis is the long-term use of certain medications, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin. This type of gastritis is not contagious at all, meaning you can safely eat with someone who has it. However, it's still highly recommended to use separate serving utensils and maintain good hygiene practices during meals to prevent other infections or complications.

In summary, while chronic gastritis itself isn't contagious, its infectious nature depends on the root cause. Practicing proper dining etiquette and maintaining personal hygiene are always smart choices for overall health and safety.