Helicobacter pylori infection (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
The risk factors include: | |||
*Exposure to contaminated or untreated water | |||
*Exposure to contaminated food | |||
*Living in unhygienic and low socioeconomic conditions | |||
*More common in African American or Hispanic descent and old people | |||
*Close contact with infected saliva ( e.g., kissing, by sharing eating utensils and drinking glasses), feces and vomit | |||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Revision as of 15:07, 24 January 2017
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Helicobacter pylori infection |
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(Condition) On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yamuna Kondapally, M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
Helicobacter pylori infection is an acute or chronic illness caused by infection of the stomach with the bacterium H. pylori. The infection is mostly without symptoms. Approximately half of worlds population is infected with H. pylori. The disease is characterized by dyspepsia, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, adenocarcinoma of stomach or MALT lymphoma.
What are the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection?
Majority of patients infected are asymptomatic. Symptoms of H. pylori infection include:
- Bad breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest pain or tummy ache
- Bloating
- Burping
- Fullness of stomach
- Dark or tarry like stools
- Feeling tired
- Loose stools
What causes Helicobacter pylori infection?
Helicobacter pylori infection is caused by the bacterium H. pylori. The infection occurs in places with overcrowding and poor hygiene. People get the infection by eating or drinking contaminated food or water and through close contact like sharing utensils, drinking glasses and kissing.
Who is at highest risk?
The risk factors include:
- Exposure to contaminated or untreated water
- Exposure to contaminated food
- Living in unhygienic and low socioeconomic conditions
- More common in African American or Hispanic descent and old people
- Close contact with infected saliva ( e.g., kissing, by sharing eating utensils and drinking glasses), feces and vomit
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Helicobacter pylori infection?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Helicobacter pylori infection