Port Moresby Medical Laboratories (POMMEDLAB)

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Question 1. What is Helicobacter Pylori?

 

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacteria that is cause of most gastric (stomach) and duodenal (intestine) ulcers. It is also causes stomach irritation (gastritis), heartburn, nausea and bloating (dyspepsia).

H. pylori appears also contributes to development of stomach cancer. However, most people with H. pylori do not get stomach cancer.

Question 2. How does it occur?

H. pylori is a common infection. Most often it is spread from mouth to mouth or from bowel movements. By age 65, more than 50% of adults have been infected with it. It tends to spread among people who are living together, sharing food and bathrooms.

Doctors are trying to learn why some but not most people infected with H. pylori have gastritis and ulcers. Stomach-irritating habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol may contribute to these problems.

Question 3. What are the symptoms?

The symptoms may be:

stomach pain ”heart pain”

nausea or vomiting

heartburn

Diarrhoea.

Recurrent sore-throat/cough at night

Symptoms may be worse before or after meals. One third of the people who are infected never have any symptoms.

Question 5. How is helicobacter infection detected?

A number of tests are available for detection of helicobacter infection.

At POMMEDLAB, blood sample is taken to detect helicobacter antibody level. If you have a typical symptom, a positive test (high antibody) could suggest presence of infection and need for treatment. It is the least costly test and is about 90% accurate in diagnosing H. pylori.

. Other tests available are:

A stool sample test to look for H. pylori. This test is the newest test. It is very accurate.

The urea breath test to check for by-products of H. pylori bacteria. This test is costly and not as available as the blood test, but it is accurate. To do the test, you swallow a substance (urea), which is changed by the bacteria if you have an H. pylori infection. The changed material can be measured in your breath 10 minutes after you swallowed the urea.

As with many test, laboratory test should be interpreted with clinical information.

 

A procedure called upper endoscopy to see the stomach and intestinal lining and take samples of tissue. This is the most accurate way to diagnose H. pylori. Your provider puts a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end (the endoscope) through your mouth and down into your upper digestive tract. He or she can then look at the stomach or upper intestine for signs of gastritis or ulcers. The doctor may remove a tiny piece of stomach tissue (biopsy) through the tube for lab tests.

Common complications of H. pylori infection are gastritis and ulcers. To check for ulcers, you may have a special stomach X-ray called an upper GI or upper endoscopy. (The upper GI is not helpful in finding H. pylori, but it does find ulcers.)

 

Question 6. How is it treated?

Your healthcare provider may recommend treatment only if you have symptoms of H. pylori infection. If you do have symptoms, you will probably take a combination of medicines, including antibiotics, for up to 2 weeks.

 

Question 7. How long will the effects last?

Symptoms of H. pylori infection usually improve within a few days after you start taking the medicine. The symptoms may come back later if you become infected with the bacteria again.

 

Question 8. How can I take care of myself?

If you are being treated for H. pylori infection, be sure to take your medicine just as your healthcare provider has prescribed it. Take the medicine for as long as your provider has prescribed it, even if the symptoms go away before you finish the medicine.

When H. pylori is present, you should try to avoid irritating your stomach. Do not smoke cigarettes. If you find that caffeine, alcohol, or any other particular food or drink causes stomach upset or pain, avoid that food or drink.

You should let your provider know if you are having new symptoms or if your symptoms continue or return.

 

Question 9. How can I help prevent H. pylori infection?

Doctors don't yet know how to prevent H. pylori infection