Is colitis/proctitis transmissible?

[sr701]

My husband has suffered with severe colitis for four years now.  We have been living together for two years.  In the last 4 months I have developed the exact same symptoms as he has.  I am awaiting investigations that are booked for Feb 2012.  My husband's consultant is insistent that this is not transmissible but it is a rather strange coincidence.  There is no family history of this disorder in my family.  Is there any evidence, published or otherwise, that would explain this?

[sr701]

Thank you.  They took a sample from me before referral to the hospital.  My husband cannot remember if he ever had one but he is having more tests done in March now.
Kind regards
Sarah

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Colitis and proctatitis is not transmissible per se unless it is due to ameobiasis or some other pathogen that is causing infection. In these infections the pathogen is present in food and water and more than one member of family can be affective. However if the colitis/proctatitis is inflammatory in origin, then it is not transmissible at all.
I suggest you and your husband get a stool examination done for infection and parasitic infestation. Take care!