Helicobacter Pylori

In short: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that infects the stomach lining. Many people carry it without ever feeling ill, but in others it can cause ulcers and gastritis and, over time, raise the risk of stomach cancer. If you have ongoing stomach symptoms, a doctor can test for it and, if needed, treat it with antibiotics.

What is Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori (often shortened to H. pylori or HP) is a gram-negative, rod- to spiral-shaped bacterium that can live in both human and animal organisms. It is one of the most common chronic infections in the world and may be present in more than half of the global population. It is also the most common cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Most people never know they carry it, because they never feel ill. In others it can cause problems in the digestive system — most commonly stomach pain and nausea. If you have signs and symptoms of a stomach ulcer, your doctor will likely test you for H. pylori, and if the infection is confirmed it can be treated with antibiotics.

What does Helicobacter pylori look like?

H. pylori is a gram-negative organism with a spiral shape and 6–8 flagella at one end. It measures roughly 2–4 μm × 0.5–1 μm. The flagella let it burrow into the protective mucus layer of the stomach, which is how it survives where most bacteria cannot.

It was first described in 1983 by Robin Warren and Barry Marshall, who established the link between H. pylori and the development of gastric and duodenal ulcers — work that later earned them the Nobel Prize.

Where is Helicobacter pylori found?

H. pylori lives in the human stomach (and sometimes in animals), infecting the stomach lining and upper gastrointestinal tract. It can exist in a very acidic environment, at pH 2.0 or lower. The biggest health complications are associated with infection of the stomach lining: long-term infection can lead to chronic inflammation, and the World Health Organization classifies H. pylori as a risk factor for stomach cancer.

Symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection

Many people have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• heartburn
• nausea
• stomach pain
• pressure in the stomach
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• bad breath
• upper abdomen pain
• loss of appetite

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have persistent signs and symptoms that worry you. Get medical help right away if you notice:

What happens if H. pylori goes untreated

If H. pylori infection is left untreated, the stomach lining can be progressively damaged. Possible complications include:

• stomach ulcers
• inflammation of the stomach lining
• gastritis

Long-standing infection is also a recognised risk factor for certain types of stomach cancer, which is why persistent symptoms should be assessed by a doctor.

How H. pylori is transmitted

H. pylori spreads from person to person, mainly via the fecal–oral route — for example through contaminated food or water, or close contact. Infection often begins in childhood, while problems and symptoms frequently appear only in adulthood.

Helicobacter pylori testing

If you think you may have an infection, contact your doctor. Common test types include:

• serum, urine or saliva sample — antibodies against H. pylori
• stool sample — detection of H. pylori antigen
• urea breath test
• home test kit (stool or blood)

Home test kits are a simple way to check for infection. They are easy to use, suitable for almost all age groups, and offer high reliability. They are a convenient first step before discussing the result with your doctor.

Which Helicobacter pylori test is right for you?

Both tests are simple to use at home. The difference is what they detect — an active infection versus antibodies — so they suit slightly different situations.

Not sure which to choose? See both options together and discuss the result with your doctor.

Testing: If you suspect an infection, the practical step is to test and see your doctor. See all options in the Helicobacter pylori tests collection and discuss the result with your physician.

Treatment for Helicobacter pylori

If your test is positive, you should start treatment under medical guidance. Your doctor will evaluate your health and the infection, then decide on the right approach. Treatment usually involves a combination of several antibiotics, often together with a medicine that reduces stomach acid (a proton-pump inhibitor), to help the antibiotics work.

Treatment lasts at least one week, but is typically around one to three weeks. Afterwards, a follow-up test or a stomach-lining sample may be taken to confirm the bacterium has been eradicated. H. pylori is a medical condition — diagnosis and treatment should always be guided by a doctor.

FAQ: Helicobacter pylori