If you develop an H. pylori infection, you may not have any signs or symptoms. But it can lead to peptic ulcers, gastritis, and even certain types of stomach cancer.
Sharing a crowded living spaceLiving in a developing countryNot having access to clean waterLiving with someone who has H. pylori
See a healthcare provider right away if you experience the following symptoms:
Severe stomach or other abdominal painStomach or abdominal pain that doesn’t go awayDifficulty swallowingBloody, black, or tarry stoolsVomit that’s bloody or looks like coffee grounds
First, your doctor will probably perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. Then they might recommend one or more of these tests to identify the bacteria.
Blood Test
Breath Test
Breath tests are often difficult to do in young kids, and you can’t take certain medicines, such as proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics, or Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate), for a week or two prior to having the test.
Stool Test
Upper Endoscopy
During an upper endoscopy, your doctor will first give you a light sedative, then thread a long tube with a tiny camera on the end down your throat, past your esophagus, and into your stomach. This will allow your physician to see inside your digestive track and remove small pieces of tissue (known as biopsy samples) if necessary.
Should You Get Screened for H. Pylori?
In places where the risk of getting H. pylori is high, doctors test healthy people for the bacteria even if they have no signs or symptoms, which is known as medical screening. But there’s a debate in the medical community over whether this degree of screening is beneficial.
Prognosis of H. Pylori
Many people with H. pylori don’t experience any symptoms of the illness and never even know they have the infection. If you do have symptoms or develop complications, treatment is usually successful. H. pylori infection can often be cured with treatment consisting of antibiotics and acid-reducing medications.
Medication Options
Antibiotics Usually, you’ll need two or more antibiotics at once to treat the infection. This helps prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant to one drug. Some antibiotics are commonly prescribed for H. pylori:
Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Larotid, Moxtag)Metronidazole (Flagyl)Clarithromycin (Biaxin)Rifabutin (Mycobutin)Tetracycline (Achromycin)
Acid-Reducing Drugs These medicines may reduce the amount of acid in your stomach:
Proton pump inhibitors work by blocking the production of stomach acid. They include Prilosec (omeprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), and Protonix (pantoprazole).Histamine (H2) blockers target a substance in your body called histamine, which can trigger stomach acid production. Pepcid (famotidine) and Zantac (ranitidine) are two commonly used H2 blockers.Better known as Pepto-Bismol, bismuth subsalicylate works by coating stomach ulcers, which protects them from acid.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
There are some foods or supplements with antibacterial or antiviral properties that have been investigated for improving H. pylori infections or the ulcers that can sometimes result. These include garlic, honey, broccoli, green tea, and red wine. It’s recommended that any alternative therapy be discussed with your doctor and should only be used along with traditional H. pylori eradication medication.
At-Home Care
You can help relieve stomach pain and other symptoms of H. pylori infection by following a consistent meal schedule that doesn’t require your stomach to be empty for too long. That may mean you’ll have to eat five or six small meals each day rather than three moderate to large meals.
Avoid spicy or greasy foodsAvoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, or soda if they bother your stomachLimit alcohol intakePractice good hand-washing hygiene
Follow-Up Doctor’s Visits After you’ve been treated for H. pylori, your doctor might suggest that you get tested again for the infection four weeks later. If you still have the infection, you may need to take another round of treatment with different antibiotics.
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughlyDrink water from a safe and trusted sourceDon’t eat contaminated food
Ulcers
Ulcers themselves can lead to serious complications as well:
Internal Bleeding This happens when stomach acid or an ulcer tears into a blood vessel.Obstruction An ulcer can block food from leaving your stomach.Perforation An ulcer can grow deep and break through the stomach or intestinal wall.Peritonitis Inflammation of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) can happen when infection or inflammation develops as a result of an ulcer.
Gastritis
Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of your stomach. People with H. pylori are at an increased risk of having this condition.
Stomach Cancer
Learn More About the Complications of H. Pylori
The Mayo Clinic’s website provides comprehensive, up-to-date medical info. Its coverage of H. pylori infections — from symptoms and treatment to what questions to ask your doctor — is thoroughly accessible and helpful. FamilyDoctor.org This site, from the American Academy of Family Physicians, has a wealth of educational materials and medical info for adults and kids, including a page on ulcers caused by H. pylori. Brenner Children’s Hospital This health system based in Winston Salem, North Carolina, covers the basics of H. pylori infections in children in an easy-to-understand way for parents and caregivers. MedlinePlus MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, and part of the National Institutes of Health. With health and wellness information in both English and Spanish, it’s a trusted source on a variety of conditions, including H. pylori infections. Additional reporting by Becky Upham.
