HELICOBACTER PYLORI
What is Helicobacter Pylori?
H. pylori is a bacteria that can infect the human stomach. It lives in the lining of the stomach and the chemicals it produces causes inflammation of the stomach lining.
How common is Helicobacter Pylori?
Approximately 40% of Australians over 60 years of age have H. pylori. H. pylori infection is higher in indigenous communities than in the non-Indigenous Australian population. H. pylori is also more common in certain ethnic populations (e.g. Middle Eastern, Asian and eastern European). There is no difference in infection rate between men and women.
How do I catch Helicobacter Pylori?
Researchers are not certain how H. pylori is transmitted. It is most likely acquired in childhood but how this occurs is unknown. A number of possibilities including sharing food or eating utensils, contact with contaminated water and contact with the stool or vomit of an infected person have all been investigated but the answer is still not known. H. pylori has been found in the saliva of some infected people, which means infection could be spread through direct contact with saliva. There is no evidence that pets or farm animals are sources of infection. Infection has been shown to occur between family members (e.g. mother and child). It is rare to catch H. pylori as an adult - most people are infected during childhood.
What problems can Helicobacter Pylori cause?
- Gastritis: inflammation of the lining of the stomach (frequent).
- Peptic ulcer disease: a hole in the lining of the stomach or duodenum (uncommon).
- Gastric cancer and lymphoma (rare).
How is Helicobacter Pylori diagnosed?
Tests for the detection of H. pylori include
- Urea Breath
- Test Blood Tests
- Endoscopy
- Faecal Tests (useful for children)
How is Helicobacter Pylori treated?
Treatment of H. Pylori involves the use of a combination of at least 3 drugs. The use of drug combinations reduces the risk of H. pylori becoming resistant to treatment. The drug combination most commonly used includes an ulcer healing drug (e.g. Esomeprazole) and 2 antibiotics (e.g. Amoxycillin, Clarithromycin, Metronidazole). Treatment is usually for 7 days.
How do I know if the treatment has worked?
Urea breath test is useful to check whether H. pylori infection has been successfully treated. If the treatment has not been successful, a different combination of drugs may be tried.
Urea Breath Test by Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology provides instructions on how to prepare for your Urea Breath Test for the most accurate result.
Am I likely to become infected again?
No. Once you have had successful eradication of H. pylori, the risk of being reinfected is very low (about 0.5 to 1.0% per year). This is because most infection occurs in childhood.
Do my family members need to be tested if I am infected?
This is not usually recommended.
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