H. Pylori Infection

H. Pylori infection is a bacterial infection in your stomach. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori lives in the stomach lining and can survive in the acidic environment there. It affects roughly 50% of the world's population.

Most people with H. Pylori never develop symptoms or problems. But in some cases, the bacteria causes inflammation of the stomach lining. This inflammation can lead to painful stomach ulcers or increase your risk of stomach cancer over time.

The good news is that H. Pylori infection can be treated and cured with antibiotics. Testing helps identify the infection early, before it causes serious digestive problems. Understanding your risk and getting tested when needed protects your long-term digestive health.

Many people with H. Pylori infection have no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages. When symptoms do appear, they often include:

• Burning or gnawing pain in the upper stomach, especially when your stomach is empty
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Frequent burping
• Bloating or feeling uncomfortably full after eating
• Unintentional weight loss
• Dark or black stools, which may indicate bleeding in the stomach
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Most people carry the bacteria without ever knowing it. Symptoms typically only appear when the infection causes an ulcer or significant stomach inflammation.

H. Pylori bacteria spreads from person to person through direct contact. The exact way it spreads is not fully understood, but it likely passes through saliva, vomit, or stool. You can get infected by sharing food or drinks, kissing, or through contaminated water or food. Poor sanitation and crowded living conditions increase your risk.

Most people get infected during childhood, especially in developing countries. Risk factors include living in crowded housing, lacking access to clean water, living with someone who has H. Pylori, and growing up in areas with poor sanitation. Your stomach acid normally kills most bacteria, but H. Pylori has adapted to survive and thrive in this harsh environment.

H. Pylori infection is diagnosed through specialized tests that detect the bacteria in your body. The most common tests include a stool antigen test, which looks for H. Pylori proteins in your stool, and a breath test, which measures certain gases you exhale after drinking a special solution. Blood tests can detect antibodies to H. Pylori, but they cannot tell if you have a current infection or a past one.

Your doctor may also perform an endoscopy to look at your stomach lining directly. During this procedure, they can take a small tissue sample to test for the bacteria. Talk to a doctor about which testing approach is right for you based on your symptoms and medical history.

H. Pylori infection requires treatment with multiple medications at once. Your treatment plan may include:

• Two or more antibiotics to kill the bacteria, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, or tetracycline
• Proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid and help your stomach lining heal
• Bismuth subsalicylate to protect your stomach lining and help kill the bacteria
• H2 blockers to reduce acid production if needed

Treatment typically lasts 10 to 14 days. It is important to take all medications exactly as prescribed, even if you start feeling better. After treatment, your doctor will test you again to make sure the infection is gone. Lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, and managing stress support healing and reduce ulcer risk.