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Helicobacter pylori Infections
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

Helicobacter pylori Infections

Helicobacter pylori is a common stomach bacteria that can cause peptic ulcers, gastritis, and stomach cancer.

Overview

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that causes infection in the stomach. It is the main cause of peptic ulcers, and it can also cause gastritis and stomach cancer. About 30 to 40% of people in the United States get an H. pylori infection, usually as a child. While it often causes no symptoms, it can break down the inner protective coating of the stomach, leading to inflammation.

Transmission

Researchers aren't sure exactly how H. pylori spreads, but they believe it may occur through:

  • Unclean food and water
  • Contact with an infected person's saliva or other body fluids

Symptoms and Diagnosis

A peptic ulcer causes a dull or burning pain in your stomach, especially when empty. The pain may last for minutes to hours and come and go for days or weeks. Other symptoms include bloating, nausea, and weight loss. If you have these symptoms, your health care provider may use the following to check for H. pylori:

  • Blood tests
  • Breath tests
  • Stool tests
  • Upper endoscopy, often with a biopsy

Treatment and Prevention

If you have a peptic ulcer, treatment involves a combination of antibiotics and acid-reducing medicines. You will need to be tested again after treatment to ensure the infection is gone. There is no vaccine for H. pylori, but you may be able to prevent it by:

  • Washing your hands after using the bathroom and before eating
  • Eating properly prepared food
  • Drinking water from a clean, safe source

Frequently Asked Questions

Both tests are non-invasive and highly accurate for detecting active H. pylori infections. The urea breath test requires you to swallow a capsule containing urea and a special isotope; if H. pylori is present, it breaks down the urea, and you exhale the byproduct, which is detected in your breath. The stool antigen test involves submitting a small sample of stool to a lab to check for proteins from the bacteria. Both tests are preferred over blood tests because they confirm current infection rather than past exposure. It is crucial to stop taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for at least two weeks and antibiotics or bismuth for four weeks before either test to avoid false-negative results.
Reinfection rates in adults are generally low, but it is possible to be re-exposed, particularly if you live in a household where other members are infected. Since H. pylori can spread through saliva and fecal-oral routes, practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before eating, is important. Some clinicians recommend that household members, especially children, be tested and treated if the index case has an active infection, although this is not always standard practice. Avoiding sharing utensils or food directly from one person's mouth to another can also reduce the risk of transmission within the home.
You should avoid taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole or pantoprazole for at least two weeks before a breath or stool test, as these medications can suppress the bacteria and lead to a false-negative result. Antacids like calcium carbonate or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) should also be stopped for at least four weeks prior to testing. If your stomach pain is severe, consult your healthcare provider for alternative pain management strategies that will not interfere with the diagnostic accuracy of the tests.
No, having an H. pylori infection does not mean you will develop stomach cancer. While H. pylori is a major risk factor for gastric cancer, the vast majority of infected individuals do not develop this condition. The risk is higher for those who have been infected for many years, have a family history of gastric cancer, or consume diets high in salt and smoked foods. Successful eradication of the bacteria significantly reduces the long-term risk of developing ulcers and cancer, which is why completing the full course of antibiotics is essential even if you feel better before finishing the medication.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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