Helicobacter Pylori

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Medical Video: H. pylori - Mayo Clinic

Definition

What is helicobacter pylori?

The Helicobacter pylori test series is used to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). H pylori can cause stomach ulcers. However, most people who have H. pylori in their digestive system do not experience ulcers.

There are four tests used to detect H. pylori:

  • Blood antibody test. A blood test to see if your body has made antibodies to the H. pylori bacteria. If you have antibodies to H. pylori in the blood it means that you have been infected or have been infected before.
  • Urea breath test. The Urea breath test checks whether you have H. pylori bacteria in the stomach. This test can show if you have H. pylori infection. This test can also be used to see if treatment has been successfully carried out to remove H. pylori.
  • Stool antigen test. Stool antigen tests check whether the substance that triggers the immune system to fight H. pylori infection is in the stool. This test may also be done to support the diagnosis of H. pylori infection or to find out whether treatment for H. pylori infection has been successful.
  • Stomach biopsy. Small samples are taken from the lining of the stomach and small intestine when performing endoscopy. Several different tests can be done on a biopsy sample.

When do I have to take helicobacter pylori?

The Helicobacter pylori test may be done when you experience abdominal pain and have ulcer signs and symptoms. Some of the signs and symptoms include:

  • abdominal pain that comes and goes for a long time
  • loss of weight which is unknown why
  • indigestion
  • feeling full or bloated
  • nausea
  • belch

You may experience more serious signs and symptoms that require immediate medical help, including sharp, sudden, and not absent abdominal pain, black or bloody stools, or vomiting that bleeds or looks like coffee grounds.

An H. pylori test can be referred to when you have completed a series of prescription antibiotics to confirm that the H. pylori bacteria has been lost. However, further testing is not done on everyone.

Prevention & warning

What should I know before undergoing helicobacter pylori?

Urea breath tests are not recommended for children. In children, the more common test is fecal antigen testing. A person can experience abdominal pain due to many things, one of which is ulcers caused by H. pylori. If someone uses antacids in a week before the test, test rapid urease can issue negative results that are not right. Antimicrobial, inhibitor proton pumpand bismuth preparation can affect all tests except blood antibody tests. It is important for you to know the warnings and precautions before carrying out this test. If you have questions, consult your doctor for further information and instructions.

Process

What should I do before undergoing helicobacter pylori?

You don't need to do anything before doing a blood antibody test.

Stool antigen test

Medications can change the results of this test. Make sure you tell the doctor all prescription and nonprescription medicines that you are using. Your doctor may recommend that you stop some of the drugs used. Do not use antibiotics or drugs that contain bismuth (such as pepto-bismol) for 1 month before the test is done.

Don't use a barrier proton pump (such as Nexium or Prilosec) for 2 weeks before the test.

Abdominal biopsy or urea breath test

Do not eat and drink for at least 6 hours before the breath test or stomach biopsy.

Many medicines affect the results of this test. Make sure you tell your doctor about all the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are using. Your doctor may stop some of your medications.

  • do not use antibiotics or drugs that contain bismuth (such as pepto-bismol) for 1 month before the test is done
  • do not use antibiotics or drugs that contain bismuth (such as pepto-bismol) for 1 month before the test is done
  • do not use H2 inhibitors such as, Pepcid, Zantac, Axid, or Tagamet, for 24 hours before the test.

Consult your doctor about any concerns that you have regarding the test, the risks, how the test is done, or the purpose of the test results.

How is the helicobacter pylori process?

Blood antibody test

The medical personnel who are in charge of taking your blood will take the following steps:

  • wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop the blood flow. This makes the blood vessels under the bond enlarge making it easier to inject needles into the vessels
  • clean the part to be injected with alcohol
  • inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be needed.
  • attach the tube to the syringe to fill it with blood
  • remove the ties from your arms when taking blood is enough
  • attach gauze or cotton to the injected part, after the injection is finished
  • put pressure on the part and then put on a bandage

Urea breath test

Breath samples are taken when you blow a balloon, or foam into a bottle filled with liquid. Health care providers who take samples of your breath will:

  • take a sample of your breath before starting the test
  • give you capsules or liquids to drink that contain markers or radioactive material.
  • collect samples of your breath at different times. Breath samples will be tested to see if the sample contains ingredients formed when H. pylori meets a marker or radioactive material

The urea test usually lasts 30 minutes.

Stool antigen test

Stool samples for this test can be taken at home. If you are in a hospital, your health care provider can help collect samples.

To collect samples, you need to:

  • move the stool into a dry container. Solid or liquid feces can be used. Be careful in taking samples, do not allow the sample to be exposed to urine or toilet paper
  • replace the lid and label it with your name, your doctor, and the date when the sample was taken
  • wash hands after collecting samples to avoid spreading bacteria
  • immediately bring the container closed to the doctor or directly to the laboratory.

Your doctor may also use it swab cotton that is inserted into your rectum to take stool samples at the time of examination.

Stomach biopsy

Endoscopy is performed to take tissue samples from the stomach and duodenum. Doctors can take up to 10 tissue samples. Tissue samples were tested in the laboratory to see if the sample contained H. pylori. In rare cases, biopsy samples are placed in containers that support the growth of H. pylori bacteria. This is called H. pylori culture. If bacteria grow in culture, tests (called susceptibility and sensitivity tests) can ensure which antibiotics can be used to treat infection.

What should I do after undergoing helicobacter pylori?

Your doctor will discuss how you are doing and then provide appropriate treatment. Sometimes, your doctor may refer to a follow-up examination. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Explanation of Test Results

What do the test results mean?

The results of the urea breath test or faecal antigen tests are usually available within a few hours. Results from blood antibody tests are usually available within 24 hours. Results from biopsy samples taken by endoscopy are usually available within 48 hours. Results from biopsy samples that are cultured can take up to 10 days.

Positive results of H. pylori faecal antigen, breath test, or biopsy indicates that a person's stomach pain is caused by a gastric ulcer due to this bacterium. Treatment with a combination of antibiotics and several other drugs can be prescribed to kill bacteria and stop pain and ulcers.

Positive blood test for H. pylori antibodies can indicate an ongoing infection or previous infection. Other tests for H. pylori such as breath tests can be done as a further test to ascertain whether the infection is ongoing.

Negative test results means that a person is less likely to have H. pylori infection and the signs and symptoms may be caused by other causes. However, if symptoms do not disappear, additional tests can be performed, including more invasive tissue biopsies to eliminate the possible causes of infection.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Helicobacter Pylori
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