Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacteria that thrives in the digestive system and can cause stomach infections. Some people do not experience symptoms of H. pylori.
Causes
It is not clear how H. pylori infection occurs. But it can be spread from one infected person to another in a number of ways. This includes:
- Through the saiva of an infected person
- Through contact with infected vomit
- Through contact with infected feces
Symptoms
Not everyone who is infected with H. pylori will experience symptoms. But there are some common symptoms that may occur after infection.
Some common H. pylori symptoms include:
- Severe stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Excessive burping
- Bad breath
- Sudden weight oss
- Boating
- Loss of appetite
Complications
pyori can cause some serious probems.
- Ucers: pyori can cause stomach ucers because it damages the protective ining of the organ.
- Infammation: The infection can irritate the stomach and cause gastritis.
- Cancer: In some cases, H. pyori infection increases the risk of stomach cancer.
Treatment
Even if there are no H. pylori symptoms, the presence of stomach ulcers is a clear sign of infection. Treatment may include antibiotics and another medicine that heals the stomach lining.
- The course of antibiotics may incude two different drugs. This is done to prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to a specific antibiotic. Using two drugs can prevent deays in treatment.
- The various drugs used to treat stomach probems may incude drugs that suppress stomach acid production, bock acid-producing substances, or protect ucers from acid.
- After treatment is finished, your doctor may do a new round of tests to see if the treatment was successfu. This usuay happens four weeks after treatment is competed. If further treatment is needed, your doctor may change the antibiotic.
If the H. pylori infection is not causing other problems, initial treatment of the infection is usually effective. Prompt treatment of H. pylori symptoms as soon as they appear can help.
