HealthInfo Canterbury
H. pylori
Helicobacter pylori (usually shortened to H. pylori) is a germ (or bacterium) that can infect your stomach lining.
H. pylori infection can damage the protective lining of your stomach and cause inflammation. This increases your chances of developing heartburn and peptic ulcers. In a very small number of people, H. pylori can cause stomach cancer.
In New Zealand the rate of H.pylori infection is lower than in other parts of the world.
Symptoms of H. pylori
Many people with H. pylori have no obvious symptoms. But symptoms you may experience include:
- upper stomach pain
- heartburn
- bloating
- feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting
- poor appetite
- feeling full after a small meal.
Diagnosing H. pylori
There are several tests for H. pylori:
- A blood test.
- A urea breath test, which involves having a drink of urea, then blowing into a test tube.
- A faecal antigen test, which involves giving a poo sample to be tested in the lab to see if you have H. pylori infection.
- A biopsy taken during a gastroscopy, which involves taking a small sample from your stomach or small intestine through a tube that's passed down your throat.
It's important that you don't take any antibiotics or medicines like omeprazole that reduce stomach acid, for a week or two before having any of these tests.
Treating H. pylori
Most people who have an H. pylori infection need to take three medicines for one to two weeks. The medicines are two antibiotics and a medicine that reduces the amount of acid in your stomach, such as omeprazole, pantoprazole or lansoprazole.
After treatment, most people no longer carry the infection, so you won't need further testing unless your symptoms persist or come back.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2021.
SourcesReview key: HIPEP-245983
