What is Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori infection is a bacterial infection in the stomach. Long-term (chronic) infection can cause stomach irritation (gastritis), ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers), and ulcers in the upper part of the intestine (duodenal ulcers).

Having this infection may also increase your risk of stomach cancer and a type of white blood cell cancer (lymphoma) that affects the stomach.

What are the causes?

This infection is caused by the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. Many healthy people have this bacteria in their stomach lining. The bacteria may also spread from person to person through contact with stool (feces) or saliva. It is not known why some people develop ulcers, gastritis, or cancer from the bacteria.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop this condition if you:

• Have family members with the infection.
• Live with many other people, such as in a dormitory.
• Are of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Most people with this infection do not have any symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Heartburn.
• Stomach pain.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting. The vomit may be bloody because of ulcers.
• Loss of appetite.
• Bad breath.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms and medical history.
• A physical exam.
• Blood tests.
• Stool tests.
• A breath test.
• A procedure that involves placing a tube with a camera on the end of it down your throat to examine your stomach and upper intestine (upper endoscopy).
• Removing and testing a tissue sample from the stomach lining (biopsy). A biopsy may be taken during an upper endoscopy.

How is this treated?

This condition is treated by taking a combination of medicines (triple therapy) for several weeks. Triple therapy includes one medicine to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach and two types of antibiotic medicines. This treatment may reduce your risk of cancer.

You may need to be tested for H. pylori again after treatment. In some cases, the treatment may need to be repeated if your treatment did not get rid of all the bacteria.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Take your antibiotics as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotics even if you start to feel better.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Take steps to prevent future infections:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Do not eat food or drink water that may have had contact with stool or saliva.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important. You may need tests to make sure your treatment worked.

Contact a health care provider if your symptoms:

• Do not get better with treatment.
• Return after treatment.

Summary

• Helicobacter pylori infection is a stomach infection caused by the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria.
• This infection can cause stomach irritation (gastritis), ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers), and ulcers in the upper part of the intestine (duodenal ulcers).
• This condition is treated by taking a combination of medicines (triple therapy) for several weeks.
• Take your antibiotics as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotics even if you start to feel better.