H. pyloriis a common type of bacteria that grows in thedigestive tractand tends to attack the stomach lining. Around 44 percent of people worldwide have anH. pyloriinfection, according to a meta-analysis from 2018.

H. pyloriinfections are usually harmless, but they’re responsible for mostulcersin the stomach and small intestine.

H. pyloriis adapted to live in the harsh, acidic environment of the stomach. The “H” in the name is short forHelicobacter。“Helico” means spiral, which refers to the shape of the bacteria.

This bacteria can change the environment around it and reduce the acidity so it can survive more easily. The spiral shape ofH. pyloriallows It to penetrate the stomach lining, where it’s protected by mucus and the body’simmune cellscan’t reach it. This can lead to stomach problems.

H. pylorioften infects a person’s stomach during childhood. While infections with this strain of bacteria typically don’t cause symptoms, they can lead to diseases in some people, includingpeptic ulcersand an inflammatory stomach condition known asgastritis。

Most people withH. pylorinever have symptoms. But the bacteria can damage the inner protective lining of the stomach and cause other diseases, like a peptic ulcer. Symptoms of a peptic ulcer fromH. pyloriinclude:

  • dull or burning stomach pain (especially when you have an empty stomach)
  • bloating
  • nausea
  • unexplained weight loss
  • vomiting
  • burping
  • poor appetite

While rare, stomach cancer is also an increased risk for people withH. pylori。Stomach cancer symptoms include:

  • poor appetite
  • unexplained weight loss
  • blood in the stool
  • nausea
  • feeling full early in a meal
  • discomfort or swelling in the abdomen
  • stomach pain
  • fatigue or weakness

Still, many of the symptoms of stomach cancer, peptic ulcers, and other diseases associated withH. pylorican be caused by other issues. If you experience any symptoms you’re concerned about, talk with a doctor.

You should also get medical attention right away if you experience:

  • trouble swallowing
  • anemia
  • blood in the stool
  • black-colored feces or vomit

It’s still not known exactly howH. pyloriinfections spread. The bacteria has coexisted with humans for many thousands of years. The infections are thought to spread from one person’s mouth to another, like by kissing.

The bacteria may also be transferred through contact with vomit or stool. This can happen when a person does notwash their handsthoroughly after using the bathroom.H. pylorican also spread through contact with contaminated water or food.

Risk factors

Children are more likely to develop anH. pylori感染。This is largely because children may not always practice proper hygiene.

An individual’s environment and living conditions could influence their risk for anH. pylori感染。Your risk is higher if you:

  • live in a developing country
  • lack access to clean water
  • share housing with others who’ve contractedH. pylori
  • live in overcrowded conditions

If you have symptoms of a digestive condition, you may need to get tested forH. pylori。There are several ways to diagnose anH. pyloriinfection, including:

  • Blood test:A healthcare professional may draw a sample of blood from a person’s arm or hand. The blood sample can then be sent to a laboratory to check for antibodies toH. pylori。
  • Stool test:For this test, you’ll use a container from a healthcare professional to collect a sample of your feces. It can then be sent to a lab for either a stool antigen test or a stool culture test.
  • Breath test:A urea breath test can check for abnormal carbon dioxide levels, which can be a sign of anH. pylori感染。测试包括呼吸科尔ection bag twice. In between providing breath samples, you’ll consume a pill or liquid with a harmless radioactive material. A healthcare professional can then compare the two samples to see if you may haveH. pylori。

A healthcare professional may recommend getting anendoscopyif the results of the other tests are inconclusive. It allows a healthcare professional to look at your esophagus, stomach lining, and a portion of your small intestine.

During the procedure, a healthcare professional will insert a long, thin tube called an endoscope into your mouth and down into your stomach and duodenum.

An attached camera will send back images on a monitor for a healthcare professional to see. The test may also involve removing a small tissue sample (biopsy) to be analyzed after the procedure.

H. pyloriinfections can lead to peptic ulcers, but the infection or the ulcer itself can lead to more serious complications. These include:

  • internal bleeding, which can happen when a peptic ulcer breaks through your blood vessel and is associated with iron deficiency anemia
  • obstruction,它可以发生在像你mor blocks the food from leaving your stomach
  • perforation, which can happen when an ulcer breaks through your stomach wall
  • peritonitis, which is an infection of the peritoneum, or the lining of the abdominal cavity

H. pylorican also increase the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma, a type ofstomach cancer。This risk is higher among smokers, as well as Black people/African Americans, Latinos and Hispanics, and Asians, according to alarge 2019 cohort study。

With that said, most people infected withH. pylorinever develop stomach cancer.

If you have anH. pyloriinfection that isn’t causing you any problems and you aren’t at increased risk of stomach cancer, treatment may not offer any benefits.

Stomach cancer, along withduodenaland stomach ulcers, is associated withH. pylori感染。If you have close relatives with stomach cancer or a problem like a stomach or duodenal ulcer, a healthcare professional may recommend treating anH. pylori感染。

Treatment can cure an ulcer, and it may reduce your risk of developing stomach cancer.

Medications

Using medication to treat anH. pyloriinfection typically involves a combination of antibiotics and a proton-pump inhibitor (a drug that reduces your stomach acid) for up to 14 days. This treatment is sometimes referred to as triple therapy.

Some of the drugs that are used to treat anH. pyloriinfection include:

Treatment may vary depending on your medical history and if you haveallergiesto certain medications.

After treatment, you may need a follow-up test forH. pylori。在大多数情况下,只有一个圆形的抗生素needed to clear the infection. If that doesn’t work, you may need to take other medications.

There’s no vaccine that can protect you fromH. pylori, but practicing healthy habits and hygiene can help prevent infection. You can lower your risk of anH. pyloriinfection by:

  • washing your hands frequently, especially before cooking or eating, or after using the restroom
  • drinking water from a source you know is safe
  • avoiding food that hasn’t been cleaned properly or cooked safely

Most people infected withH. pylorinever experience any symptoms or problems related to the bacteria.

If you’re experiencing symptoms and receive treatment, your long-term outlook is generally positive. At least 4 weeks after finishing your treatment, your doctor will test to make sure the medication eradicated the bacteria. You may need to take more than one round of treatment to kill theH. pyloribacteria.

H. pyloriinfections can lead to peptic ulcers in some people. Treating theH. pyloriinfection with medication can usually heal a peptic ulcer.

If you develop another condition associated with anH. pyloriinfection, your outlook will depend on the disease, how soon it’s diagnosed, and how it’s treated. Very few people infected withH. pyloriwill develop stomach cancer.