Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that colonises the mouth and in some patients can cause symptoms of indigestion such as pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, nausea or vomiting.
Helicobacter pylori infection is found in the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) of a person. Many patients have a Helicobacter pylori infection but do not have symptoms and therefore most are unaware of its existence.
However, in some people Helicobacter pylori infection may cause or worsen the condition:
- Stomach or duodenal ulcer
- Stomach cancer
- MALT Stomach lymphoma
- Extra-maxillary manifestations such as glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, blood diseases, coronary artery disease, etc.
It is not known exactly why Helicobacter pylori infection manifests itself with problems in a group of patients and not in everyone. It is possible that genetic factors are involved that make some people more susceptible to developing symptoms from the infection.
What are the symptoms?
The majority of people who have Helicobacter have no symptoms. Common symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection include:
- Pain in the upper abdomen (epigastrium)
- Drumming
- Feeling of early satiety after eating a small amount of food
- Nausea or vomiting
- Black stools (in the presence of a bleeding peptic ulcer)
- Easy fatigue
Is there a specific test for Helicobacter?
Your gastroenterologist will recommend several tests to check for infection from Helicobacter pylori including:
- Blood tests (presence of IgG antibodies against Helicobacter in the serum). IgG antibodies cannot differentiate between old and recent infection. Positive IgG antibodies require further testing for active Helicobacter pylori infection.
- Breath urea test (breath test). In this test you will be asked to blow (exhale) into 2 bottles, then you will be given a natural orange juice and a special liquid to drink and asked again to blow (exhale) into another 2 bottles after half an hour. The sample is sent to a special laboratory and the results will be sent to you in a few weeks.
- Helicobacter pylori antigen test in faeces
- Stomach biopsy. This method is the most accurate because it checks for the presence of microbes with special histological stains (e.g. Giemsa) under the microscope. It requires gastroscopy.
Do I need to be tested for Helicobacter pylori (Helicobacter pylori)?
If you have upper digestive tract symptoms, such as those described above, or if there is a family history of stomach cancer, it is recommended that you be tested for Helicobacter pylori and eradicated.
How is Helicobacter pylori treated?
Helicobacter pylori infection is treated with medications that include antibiotics and drugs that inhibit the secretion of acid from the stomach. Antibiotics are taken for 10-14 days. Tell your gastroenterologist about any allergies to penicillin before giving the treatment, or any side effects while taking the eradication treatment.
What do I do after the end of the eradication treatment?
Six to eight (6-8) weeks after treatment, your gastroenterologist will check to see if the treatment you received has managed to eradicate the Helicobacter pylori infection. The usual method used for this purpose is the breath test described above, and the stool antigen test may also be used.
Most of the time, Helicobacter pylori infection is cured with the first treatment. It is possible, however, that the microbe has developed resistance to the antibiotics you received in the past for another reason, and that it was not eradicated by the treatment you were given. In the latter case, your gastroenterologist will prescribe second-line treatment with another antibiotic regimen.
