What Is H Pylori Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention Everyday Health Menu NewslettersSearch H. Pylori What Is H Pylori Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention By Julie Lynn MarksMedically Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD Reviewed: December 9, 2020 Medically Reviewed Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that can cause an infection in your stomach.If you develop an H. pylori infection, you may not have any signs or symptoms. But it can lead to peptic Signs and Symptoms of H Pylori NauseaStomachache or burning in the stomach Editor s Picks Alarming Increase in Stomach Cancer in People Under 50 How Stress Affects Digestion 11 Foods to Avoid When You re Having Digestive Problems What Causes Ulcers Causes and Risk Factors of H Pylori Doctors aren’t exactly sure how H. pylori infection is passed from person to person. Research shows that you can become infected with the bacteria by consuming contaminated food or water. H. pylori may also spread through contact with an infected person’s saliva, Sharing a crowded living spaceLiving in a developing countryNot having access to clean waterLiving with someone who has H. pylori How Is H Pylori Diagnosed It’s a good idea to visit your doctor any time you have unusual stomach pains or complaints, especially if they are persistent or recurrent. 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 Upper EndoscopyDuring an upper endoscopy, your doctor will first give you a light 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. Editor' s Picks History of H. Pylori: What We Do and Don’t Know Before the discovery of the bacterium, doctors thought stomach ulcers were due to stress and spicy foods.… Learn More Duration of H Pylori Treatment and Medication Options for H Pylori If you have an H. pylori infection but don’t have any bothersome symptoms or develop an ulcer, you might not need to take any medications. Medication OptionsIf you do need treatment, your doctor will probably prescribe an 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: 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 Also, avoid taking Alternative and Complementary TherapiesThere 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 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. Prevention of H Pylori There’s currently no vaccine to protect against H. pylori infection. Researchers aren’t sure exactly what causes the infection or how it spreads, so there aren’t standard prevention guidelines. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughlyDrink water from a safe and trusted sourceDon't eat contaminated food Related Are You Washing Your Hands Correctly? Test your knowledge and learn the answers. Complications of H Pylori H. pylori can lead to complications, including 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. 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 Research and Statistics Who Has H Pylori Black and Hispanic Communities and H Pylori Related Conditions of H Pylori However, according to a review of studies, published in 2018 in the journal Resources We Love Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking ReferencesHelicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection: Symptoms and Causes. Show Less NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Digestive Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in H Pylori H. Pylori Complications: Gastritis, Ulcers, and Stomach Cancer The bacterium is linked to the development of several intestinal diseases.By Julie MarksNovember 27, 2018 History of H. Pylori: What We Do and Don’t Know Before the discovery of the bacterium, doctors thought stomach ulcers were due to stress and spicy foods.By Julie MarksNovember 27, 2018 Gut Check: Can Cookie Dough Really Harm Your Gut? It’s not just the raw eggs that can make you sick.By Kaitlin SullivanOctober 4, 2022 Early Research Reveals Key Player in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease A 2-part study mostly done in mice revealed that B vitamins may play a role in slowing the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.By Kaitlin SullivanSeptember 23, 2022 Questions You Should Ask Your GI When You're Diagnosed With Crohn'sBy Natalie (Sparacio) HaydenSeptember 22, 2022 Resources for New Moms Living With IBDBy Natalie (Sparacio) HaydenSeptember 16, 2022 Can Medical Marijuana Improve Crohn’s Disease Symptoms? While some evidence suggests that cannabis use may help relieve Crohn’s symptoms, more research is needed to show disease improvement. Here’s what you...By Don RaufSeptember 16, 2022 Hispanic Americans Wait Longer for an IBD Diagnosis Than White Patients Rocio Castrillon, a Hispanic American, shares the story of her struggle to get an IBD diagnosis and discusses her work with the Crohn’s & Colitis ...By Kaitlin SullivanSeptember 15, 2022 Fecal Transplant Provides Relief From Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms, Study Finds Study shows that for people with IBS, fecal transplant could offer some relief from symptoms for three years or more.By Don RaufSeptember 13, 2022 Despite Rising Cases, Hispanic Americans Face Delays in IBD Treatment Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are still largely thought of as white diseases. Experts say that needs to change to adequately care for all people...By Kaitlin SullivanSeptember 8, 2022 MORE IN What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention What Is Myelofibrosis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention What Is Cholera? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention Wellness inspired Wellness enabled FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestYoutubeTikTok About Us Careers Editorial Policy Newsletters Meet Our Health Expert Network Privacy Policy Health News Accessibility Statement Terms of Use Contact Us Feedback Do Not Sell My Personal Information Popular Topics AdChoices NEWSLETTERS Get the best in health and wellness SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. A PROPERTY OF EHGLogo More From Everyday Health: Castle Connolly Top Doctors DailyOM Diabetes Daily Everyday Health Care Migraine Again 1996-2022 Everyday Health, Inc. Everyday Health is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Badges Badges Badges