Helicobacter pylori Infection Patient Fact Sheets

H. Pylori Patient Information Fact Sheet

What is Helicobacter pylori ?
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori or HP) is a bacterium that is the main cause of ulcers occurring in the lining of the upper part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers) and in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcers). Initially, the bacterium causes inflammation (gastritis or duodenitis). Many people may be unaware of this inflammation, and only experience symptoms when an ulcer develops, perhaps years later. Not all people infected with H. pylori will develop an ulcer. The methods by which this bacterium is passed from one person to another are still not understood completely. However, it is thought that people infected with the bacterium are only capable of passing it to others for a short period (days or weeks). It may be passed via the fingers through contact with vomit or stools from an infected person. Therefore, good hygiene may decrease the risk of the bacterium being spread. However, it is thought that people living in the U.S. are unlikely to pass it on and do not need to take any special measures to avoid giving it to others.

What are the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection?
The first symptoms of infection with H. pylori are usually those of an ulcer. Ulcers cause pain, which can vary in intensity from mild discomfort to severe pain. The pain may last from minutes to hours and may come and go for several days or weeks. The pain may be severe enough to wake you during the night. Drinking milk or taking an antacid may relieve the pain and if the pain is frequent during the day, continual snacking will alleviate the pain when it occurs.

What tests are used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection?
The test usually used to diagnose an ulcer is an endoscopy. This is a procedure in which a flexible fiber-optic tube, which relays images to a video camera, is passed through the mouth down into the stomach. This enables the doctor to look at your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. This procedure also allows the doctor to perform a biopsy, which involves taking a sample of cells from the lining of the stomach or duodenum, which can then be grown in a special culture to test for the presence of H. pylori. If there is growth of H. pylori, different antibiotics can then be tested on this culture to establish which is the most effective at treating the bacterium. The most effective antibiotic can then be used to treat your ulcer. Endoscopy has largely replaced other tests to diagnose ulcers but sometimes these other tests may still be used:

A barium x-ray—this involves swallowing a contrast liquid that shows up on x-ray. This is less successful than an endoscopy in diagnosing ulcers.

A urea breath test—this involves swallowing a tasteless fluid and then giving breath samples into a special device. Analysis of the breath samples can confirm the presence of H. pylori and may indicate the extent of the infection.

Blood tests—these can detect antibodies to H. pylori. You may have a blood test prior to an endoscopy. If antibodies are not present, then you probably do not have a duodenal ulcer. If antibodies are present, this indicates that H. pylori is present and an endoscopy will be requested. It is unlikely that treatment will be given based on a diagnosis from a blood test alone, and an endoscopy will still be necessary.