Is SIBO contagious?

No, SIBO is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person through physical contact, sharing food, or kissing. SIBO is not an infection caused by an external, transmissible pathogen; rather, it is an internal ecological imbalance. It occurs when bacteria that normally reside harmlessly in the large intestine migrate upward and colonize the small intestine, where they do not belong. This relocation and subsequent overgrowth happen because of failures in the body's internal clearance systems, such as a sluggish Migrating Motor Complex (MMC), structural adhesions, or insufficient digestive secretions. Because it is driven by internal physiological dysfunctions, resolving SIBO requires identifying and correcting your unique [SIBO root causes](/sibo-root-causes) rather than isolating yourself.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed and fact-checked by Daryl Stubbs, Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant (C.H.N.C), for educational purposes. It does not constitute medical advice or a doctor-patient relationship.