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 Yang Chun Guang
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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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Can you eat sweets during the treatment for Helicobacter pylori?

During the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, it is permissible to eat sweets. During this period, it is necessary to avoid spicy and irritating foods, as well as avoid drinking strong alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and so on. It is recommended to consume more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, as well as nutritious and light foods. Smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided, and meals should be regular and in measured quantities. Since sweet foods are not considered spicy or irritating, they can be consumed during the treatment of Helicobacter pylori. After the treatment of a Helicobacter pylori infection, it is necessary to wait one month after stopping the medication before a follow-up examination to confirm whether the bacteria have been completely eradicated.

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Written by Wang Hui Jie
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Can Helicobacter pylori cure itself?

Can Helicobacter pylori be self-healing? Helicobacter pylori is very stubborn; once infected, adults who do not undergo formal therapeutic interventions will be afflicted for life, meaning the cure rate is close to zero. Children, whose immune functions are not yet fully developed, may experience multiple exposures on the gastric mucosa and short-term colonization before Helicobacter pylori settles permanently, which could potentially lead to either colonization or loss of the bacteria. White populations have stronger immune resistance than colored populations. Tracking reports indicate that 50% of white children may lose the infection after contracting it, while only 4% of black children might. Generally, the infection rate is higher than the self-healing rate, indicating that Helicobacter pylori infections in adults are generally not self-resolving.

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Written by Si Li Li
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Is erosive gastritis related to Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori infection has been confirmed as the primary cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Erosive chronic gastritis is a type of chronic gastritis, thus there is a certain relationship between erosive gastritis and Helicobacter pylori, but not all chronic gastritis is caused by Helicobacter pylori; some are, but others are not. Therefore, if erosive gastritis occurs, it is necessary to conduct a carbon-14 breath test to determine whether there is an infection of Helicobacter pylori. If the Helicobacter pylori infection is positive, a 14-day anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment should be administered. The treatment includes a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. After treatment, most of the Helicobacter pylori will convert from positive to negative.

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How to treat Helicobacter pylori infection?

Helicobacter pylori has been confirmed as a major cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even gastric cancer. The infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in China is very high, exceeding 50%. It is related to the dietary structure in China, often linked significantly to the practice of sharing dishes during meals, which correlates with China's dietary habits. If someone tests positive for Helicobacter pylori and has symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, such as indigestion, stomach pain, or bloating, then it is necessary to undergo treatment for Helicobacter pylori. The current standard treatment for Helicobacter pylori involves quadruple therapy: a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. This combination of medications is administered over a period of 14 days, representing the standardized treatment for Helicobacter pylori.