Helicobacter Pylori Symptoms
The bacterial infection Helicobacter pylori can often go undetected as most people do not experience symptoms. However, others can be more sensitive to the effects of this bacterium. If symptoms do show, they are typically gastrointestinal, affecting the stomach and the small intestine.
Our private Helicobacter Pylori Test offers a quick, easy, and accurate way to assess whether you have ever had a H. pylori bacterial infection. It is included in both our Female Cancer Risk Test and Male Cancer Risk Test packages. It can also be booked individually or added as an extra test to our health MOTs to tailor your health assessment according to your specific needs.
Learn more about the symptoms associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and take proactive steps towards safeguarding your health.
What is H. Pylori (Helicobacter Pylori)?
Helicobacter pylori, otherwise known as H. pylori, is a bacterial infection that can cause inflammation of the stomach lining and small intestine. H. pylori is a very common bacteria that is present in the gastrointestinal systems of around 40% of the UK population. In most of the people that have it, H. pylori does not cause any health issues.
However, approximately 15% of the people with H. pylori infection in the stomach do end up with painful ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcer) or in part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer). Ulcers can result in symptoms such as indigestion, but if they bleed or burst, this is a sign that the ulcer has deeply embedded itself into the stomach lining. H. pylori is a common cause of these open sores in the digestive tract, it can lead to the development of gastritis and is an increased risk factor for stomach cancer.
What Causes H. Pylori Infection?
A H. pylori infection occurs when the bacteria reaches your stomach, where it enters the mucus layer and attaches to the stomach lining. The infection spreads from person to person through:
- Unsanitary cooking utensils
- Contaminated food
- Contaminated water
- Saliva often transmitted through kissing
- Contaminated faeces and other bodily fluids
Often H. pylori infection is picked up in childhood and can remain undetected if an individual experiences no symptoms. People are most likely to become infected with Helicobacter pylori if they live in crowded conditions, live with infected individuals, or in a developing country and have limited access to clean water.
It is unclear why some people with H. pylori infection go on to develop ulcers and others don’t. The development of ulcers may be due to genetic factors such as having family members who have had stomach ulcers in the past. However, lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and stress can aggravate the symptoms of H. pylori.
What are the Symptoms of H. Pylori?
Not everyone who carries the Helicobacter pylori bacteria suffers from its associated symptoms. Indeed, this infection can go unnoticed if no Helicobacter pylori infection symptoms arise; these individuals are known as asymptomatic carriers of the bacteria. However, for a small percentage of individuals with the infection, there are certain symptoms to look out for.
Common symptoms of H. pylori include:
- Dull or burning abdominal pain
- Burping
- Lack of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
A small number of people with H. Pylori will develop cancer. These ulcers can cause further pain and complications the more damage they inflict on the stomach lining. Ulcers can bleed and burst, resulting in pain and more serious conditions. A perforated ulcer, obstructions, infections and other serious conditions require immediate medical attention and surgery.
Who is at Risk for H. Pylori Infection?
A common bacterial infection, H. pylori, is found in up to 75% of the world’s population. Regions with the lowest statistics surrounding H. pylori infection include Australasia and Western Europe. The infection is especially prevalent in areas suffering from overcrowding and lack of proper sanitation. For this reason, the bacteria is most commonly transmitted in developing countries. H. pylori can be spread by person-to-person contact and through contaminated food and water.
As well as coming into contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or consuming contaminated food or drink, there are other factors that may affect susceptibility to H. pylori infection. A family history of ulcers can influence whether or not a person with H. pylori will experience symptoms and go on to develop ulcers.
How is H. Pylori Diagnosed?
If you have experienced the common gastrointestinal symptoms associated with H. pylori and would like a firm diagnosis, there are a number of tests you can undergo.
Urea breath test: this test involves having your breath checked after drinking a solution containing urea. If there is an infection, the urea will be broken down when it comes into contact with H. pylori in the stomach.
Stool antigen test: from a stool sample, the presence of an H. pylori infection can be determined. During lab analysis, positive results will be issued if the test shows that there are specific antigens associated with H. pylori present.
Blood test: Here at Bluecrest we offer an H. pylori blood test which is a test that looks for signs of proteins or antibodies in the blood. These specific antibodies will only be present in the blood if the immune system has produced them to fight off an H. pylori infection. An H. pylori blood test can be carried out as an individual test or as part of our health assessments.
Gastroscopy: this is a more invasive test that involves passing a tube called an endoscope with a camera through to the stomach. Images taken by the camera can help to confirm the presence of stomach ulcers. Usually, this procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic.
If you suspect that you may have an H. pylori infection, it is important to get tested. Prompt testing is an effective way of identifying health issues and intervening before any serious health conditions such as gastritis, gastric ulcers or stomach cancer develop.
What Can I do to Prevent H. Pylori?
While it is possible that you may already have a bacterial infection of H. pylori present in your system, there are ways you can avoid contracting the infection in the first place. As prevention is better than cure, by adopting a few health-promoting habits, you can help reduce the spread of bacteria and the risk of experiencing health complications associated with H. pylori.
Here are the most common ways to prevent H. pylori from spreading:
- Good hygiene: you can avoid contracting or spreading the infection by practising good hygiene and handwashing. This is especially important when preparing food and after using the toilet.
- Testing: should you or the people you live with experience chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, testing can help determine whether it is due to H. pylori. Testing is an effective way of managing the spread and preventing further health issues from developing.
- Treatment: if diagnosed with an H. pylori infection, individuals should undergo a full course of antibiotics to ensure that the bacteria are cleared from their system. Finishing a course of treatment early could result in a resurgence of the bacterial infection.
- Water: avoid drinking water from an unknown source, especially when travelling, as H. pylori can be transmitted through contaminated water sources.
- Food: it is not always possible when eating out in restaurants and from food vendors, however, try to eat food from safe sources with a good food hygiene rating. Food can also become contaminated with H. pylori during the preparation process.
Private H. Pylori Test
The H. pylori test involves taking a blood sample which looks for signs of Helicobacter pylori infection in the blood. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to be analysed. After analysis, you will receive a comprehensive Results Report.
The H Pylori test can be booked individually, as part of our Female Cancer Risk or Male Cancer Risk packages or added to any of our Health MOTs. Just call us before your appointment to add on an extra test.
