How many times a year should Helicobacter pylori be tested?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on October 23, 2024
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If Helicobacter pylori tests positive, then it is necessary to undergo standardized eradication treatment. A re-examination is needed one month after cessation of the eradication treatment to confirm whether the eradication was successful or the treatment failed.

If the patient tests negative for Helicobacter pylori, then there is no need for repeated testing. Therefore, the frequency of testing for Helicobacter pylori within a year needs to be analyzed based on specific circumstances, using different testing methods and frequencies according to different situations.

Patients infected with Helicobacter pylori should eat light, easily digestible foods, avoid overeating, and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Is a gastroscopy examination accurate for detecting Helicobacter pylori?

Gastroscope testing for Helicobacter pylori is conducted under a gastroscope and is quite accurate. However, nowadays, if one is only testing for Helicobacter pylori, it generally does not require an endoscopic examination, since undergoing a gastroscope is an uncomfortable process that can cause nausea. Currently, Helicobacter pylori can be detected using a breath test method involving carbon-13 or carbon-14. This involves swallowing a capsule and then performing a breath test. It is crucial to fast before the test, as eating can affect the accuracy of the results. Therefore, although gastroscope testing for Helicobacter pylori is accurate, it is less commonly used nowadays.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can you kiss during the treatment period for Helicobacter pylori?

During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, it is advisable to avoid kissing, as Helicobacter pylori may be present in saliva, and kissing could transmit the infection to a partner. Also, avoid consuming strong alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and other spicy and irritant foods. Eat regularly and in moderation, chew slowly, and consume easily digestible foods along with fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, such as apples, bananas, tomatoes, and kiwis. It is recommended to use separate meals during the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection to prevent transmission.

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Written by Wang Li Wei
Gastroenterology
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Does everyone have Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori is not present in everyone; the infection rate among the general population can reach about 60%. However, some people who are infected with Helicobacter pylori do not necessarily experience symptoms such as acid reflux, bloating, stomach pain, or bad breath. Some people develop symptoms after being infected with Helicobacter pylori, and subsequently, when they visit a hospital for examination, the infection with this bacterium can be detected. Additionally, there are individuals who exhibit such symptoms but are not infected with Helicobacter pylori. In summary, not everyone is infected with Helicobacter pylori, and not everyone who is infected shows symptoms.

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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.