OverviewHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection occurs when H. pylori bacteria infect your stomach. This usually happens during childhood. A common cause of stomach ulcers (peptic ulcers), H. pylori infection may be present in more than half the people in the world. Show Most people don't realize they have H. pylori infection because they never get sick from it. If you develop signs and symptoms of a peptic ulcer, your health care provider will probably test you for H. pylori infection. A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or the first part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer). H. pylori infection is treated with antibiotics. SymptomsMost people with H. pylori infection will never have any signs or symptoms. It's not clear why many people don't have symptoms. But some people may be born with more resistance to the harmful effects of H. pylori. When signs or symptoms do occur with H. pylori infection, they are typically related to gastritis or a peptic ulcer and may include:
When to see a doctorMake an appointment with your health care provider if you notice any signs and symptoms that may be gastritis or a peptic ulcer. Seek immediate medical help if you have:
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practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesH. pylori infection occurs when H. pylori bacteria infect your stomach. H. pylori bacteria are usually passed from person to person through direct contact with saliva, vomit or stool. H. pylori may also be spread through contaminated food or water. The exact way H. pylori bacteria causes gastritis or a peptic ulcer in some people is still unknown. Risk factorsPeople often get H. pylori infection during childhood. Risk factors for H. pylori infection are related to living conditions in childhood, such as:
ComplicationsComplications associated with H. pylori infection include:
PreventionIn areas of the world where H. pylori infection and its complications are common, health care providers sometimes test healthy people for H. pylori. Whether there is a benefit to testing for H. pylori infection when you have no signs or symptoms of infection is controversial among experts. If you're concerned about H. pylori infection or you think you may have a high risk of stomach cancer, talk to your health care provider. Together you can decide whether you may benefit from H. pylori testing. May 05, 2022
RelatedAssociated ProceduresProducts & ServicesCan you live with H. pylori untreated?An untreated H. pylori infection may also progress into peptic ulcer disease or stomach cancer later in life. Another common cause of gastritis is long-term use of aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs.
What happens if I don't treat my H. pylori?H. pylori can also inflame and irritate the stomach lining (gastritis). Untreated, long-term H. pylori infection can lead to stomach cancer (rarely).
Can you have H. pylori for years?Once H. pylori colonises the gastric mucosa, it can persist for a lifetime, and it is intriguing why our immune system is able to tolerate its existence. Some conditions favour the persistence of H. pylori in the stomach, but other conditions oppose the colonisation of this bacterium.
Can H. pylori go away on its own?You can cure H. pylori infection only if you take the medicines just the way your doctor tells you. If you forget to take some of your medicines or stop taking them because of side effects, the infection will not be cured. You may get another ulcer in the future.
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