Dr. Joseph K. Sunny, Jr. MD. Gastroenterologist in Miami, Florida.
H. pylori is a bacteria that lives in the stomach and can cause ulcers and gastritis. Symptoms including bloating and upper abdominal pain. Patients can also experience nausea and excessive burping. Bleeding from an ulcer can lead to vomiting blood or having black stools. Vomiting blood can vary from a coffee ground color to bright red blood. The best test for H. pylori is an upper endoscopy with biopsy. A home stool test and breath test is available from the office. Virtual Visits for at home testing are available across the state of Florida but only the breath test can be delivered.
After an upper endoscopy, the biopsy results are usually available within a week. Treatment includes antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors for 10 to 14 days. Eight weeks after therapy, an H. pylori stool test is ordered to confirm eradication. Chronic H. pylori infection can lead to an increased risk of stomach cancer (1,2).
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule an appointment.
Sources
1. Risk for gastric cancer in people with CagA positive or CagA negative Helicobacter pylori infection
2. H. pylori seropositivity before age 40 and subsequent risk of stomach cancer: a glimpse of the true relationship?
3. Mayo Clinic H. pylori