What should I do if I have a Helicobacter pylori infection?

Written by Peng Miao Yun
Internal Medicine
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Helicobacter pylori is closely related to the occurrence of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric cancer, but not everyone infected with Helicobacter pylori will develop chronic gastritis or gastric ulcers. Infections can be diagnosed with a breath test, where values more than twice the normal level, accompanied by symptoms of gastritis, gastric ulcers, stomach distension, stomach pain, and acid reflux, should be considered for antibacterial and stomach-protective treatment. Generally, with standard treatment, 90% of Helicobacter pylori can be eradicated within one to two weeks. However, reinfection is common as it can be found in food and utensils and transmitted through saliva. It is generally advised that children under 14 and individuals with low levels of Helicobacter pylori without obvious stomach inflammation symptoms do not require immediate treatment.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Does superficial gastritis infected with Helicobacter pylori need treatment?

Superficial gastritis, after infection with Helicobacter pylori, requires treatment. If not actively symptomatic treated, the condition can worsen and frequently relapse, increasing the risk of malignancy. For superficial gastritis with Helicobacter pylori, initial treatment can involve natural therapies to control and eradicate Helicobacter pylori completely. Subsequently, based on individual clinical symptoms, treatment should focus on chronic superficial gastritis. Regular maintenance primarily involves being cautious with diet, avoiding spicy foods, and refraining from consuming food that is too cold, too sweet, too hard, or too acidic, as well as overly stimulating foods.

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Written by Si Li Li
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Can Helicobacter pylori infection recur after treatment?

Helicobacter pylori, once treated, does not recur, but it is possible to be infected again after the treatment is completed. Currently, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in our country has exceeded 50%, so it is important to be cautious during communal meals. Due to the Chinese dietary habit of sharing dishes using the same chopsticks, it is easy to spread Helicobacter pylori. Therefore, it is advisable to use serving chopsticks, which can significantly reduce the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori. If reinfected with Helicobacter pylori, it is necessary to undergo eradication treatment again. The treatment involves a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, totaling a 14-day treatment. After infection with Helicobacter pylori, dietary precautions are also needed, focusing on a light, easily digestible diet, and avoiding difficult-to-digest foods.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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What are the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection?

Helicobacter pylori is a pathogen produced in the stomach or oral cavity. It cannot be said that Helicobacter pylori causes any specific symptoms, rather, it is the infection of Helicobacter pylori that leads to a series of diseases presenting symptoms. Some people infected with Helicobacter pylori may not show any symptoms at all. If related diseases occur, such as gastritis or ulcers, symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting may appear. Additionally, some patients, like those with refractory iron deficiency anemia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, may also have conditions associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

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Written by Wang Jing Bin
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How to treat Helicobacter pylori positivity?

A positive test for Helicobacter pylori requires distinguishing the specific method used for detection. If it is a positive result from a Helicobacter pylori antibody test, a breath test, including both the Carbon-14 and Carbon-13 breath tests, should be conducted. If the breath test comes back positive, further examinations are necessary, including gastroscopy and analysis of Helicobacter pylori virulence factors. The analysis of virulence factors can help determine if the Helicobacter pylori infection is highly toxic. If positive, it may indicate a potential for severe gastric diseases and necessitate treatment. For individuals with a positive Helicobacter pylori breath test, a gastroscopy is also recommended, as it is the only way to precisely determine the type of gastric disease present, such as ulcers or gastritis. Depending on the gastroscopy results, some individuals may need eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori, especially those with a history of gastric ulcers, a family history of gastric cancer, gastric polyps, erosive gastritis, or gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Others, if the virulence factor analysis is negative, might not require immediate treatment for Helicobacter pylori. However, if a patient insists on treatment for Helicobacter pylori, it can be considered, but it must be clear that there are risks involved and that the treatment should be conducted properly. Finally, treatment for Helicobacter pylori is not recommended for minors, i.e., individuals under 18 years of age.

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How long does Helicobacter pylori resistance last?

Helicobacter pylori resistance generally develops around two weeks. If Helicobacter pylori shows resistance, it is advisable to consider adjusting the treatment using other antibiotics. The eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection generally involves a two-week quadruple therapy with a bismuth-containing regimen. Furthermore, one month after stopping the eradication treatment, it is necessary to recheck with a carbon-13 breath test or a carbon-14 breath test to confirm effective eradication. Helicobacter pylori infection can cause gastritis, peptic ulcers, and malignant tumors in the stomach, among other issues.