What disease does a positive Helicobacter pylori test indicate, and is it serious?

Generally, a positive result for Helicobacter pylori indicates an infection with this bacterium, which mainly resides in the stomach and duodenum. However, it does not directly equate to a specific disease. The severity must be determined based on the presence or absence of pathological changes. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Following infection with Helicobacter pylori, some individuals may not exhibit obvious symptoms and are considered asymptomatic carriers, while others may develop various diseases. Common conditions include chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and even a close association with the development of gastric cancer and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

Therefore, the severity of infection must be assessed based on individual circumstances. If the test is positive but no symptoms are present and gastroscopy reveals no significant lesions, the condition is generally not considered severe. However, if clear symptoms of gastric disease such as stomach pain, bloating, acid reflux, or nausea are present, or if peptic ulcers or atrophic gastritis are evident, the condition is relatively serious and requires timely treatment.

If a Helicobacter pylori infection is detected, it is recommended to consult a physician to comprehensively evaluate whether standardized anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy is necessary, based on individual symptoms and gastroscopy findings, in order to reduce the risk of disease development.