How are ulcers transmitted?
We do not know how H. pylori is transmitted, probably orally (for example kissing or touching oral secretions, vomitus etc in childhood can spread the infection). Alternatively, in developing countries the infection is spread by faecal contamination of the water supply, but even this is not proven in every case. Therefore ulcers are transmitted the same way as H. pylori. It may take many years before an ulcer develops, however many patients with H. pylori never have any symptoms or ulcers.