Many bacteria are useful or harmless, but some can cause serious diseases and disorders.
One such bacteria is Helicobacter pylori, which is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach, causing inflammation and could lead to stomach cancer.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at H.Pylori, including its symptoms and available tests.
What is Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria?
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that has been found to be a major cause of various gastrointestinal diseases, including stomach ulcers, gastritis, and even stomach cancer.
H. pylori infections are very common. About 50% of the world’s population is infected. However, most people never have symptoms. Despite its prevalence, many people may not be aware of the symptoms and health risks associated with H. pylori, or the available treatments to combat this infection.
Symptoms
Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- Stool that is bloody, dark red, or black
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Feeling very tired for no reason
- Pale skin color
- Vomit that has blood or looks like coffee grounds
- Severe, sharp stomach pain
How Does Unilabs Test It?
Blood Test
Your blood is tested for antibodies to the bacteria H.Pylori (antibodies are proteins produced naturally in your blood and help to fight infection). Blood testing cannot determine if you are currently infected or how long you have been infected. This is due to the fact that a test result may remain positive for years after an infection has been treated. Blood tests cannot be used to determine if the infection has been healed following treatment as a result.
Measuring 3 different types of antibodies can be useful in providing more comprehensive information than a test for a single antibody type.
- IgM antibodies typically appear shortly after infection and fade out over time.
- IgA antibodies develop shortly after infection and are typically highest during an active infection. Not all people will show significant IgA levels even if they have an infection.
- IgG antibodies typically develop within several months of infections and can persist for years, even after successful treatment.
Stool Test
A stool test can detect traces of H pylori in the feces.
This test can be used to diagnose the infection and confirm that it has been cured after treatment.
Breath Test
Up to 2 weeks before the test, you need to stop taking antibiotics. During the test, you swallow a special substance that has urea. Urea is a waste product the body produces as it breaks down protein. The urea used in the test has been made harmlessly radioactive.
If H pylori are present, the bacteria convert the urea into carbon dioxide, which is detected and recorded in your exhaled breath after 10 minutes. This test can identify almost all people who have H pylori. It can also be used to check that the infection has been fully treated.
