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Can Helicobacter pylori infection be left untreated?

Aug 26, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Jingxiang
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a common bacterial infection in the stomach that can cause gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even stomach cancer. Whether H. pylori infection requires treatment or not should be determined through comprehensive evaluation based on the patient's specific condition, including symptoms, risk factors, and the likelihood of complications. If experiencing any discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for examination. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Generally speaking, Helicobacter pylori infection is a common bacterial infection in the stomach that can cause gastritis, gastric ulcers, and even stomach cancer. Whether Helicobacter pylori infection requires treatment depends on a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's specific circumstances, including symptoms, risk factors, and potential complications. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation and examination are recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If patients do not exhibit obvious symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, or acid reflux, and there are no risk factors such as gastric ulcers, gastric mucosal atrophy, or a family history of stomach cancer, with a low possibility of complications, treatment may be temporarily avoided after medical evaluation. However, regular follow-up examinations are necessary to monitor bacterial colonization and gastric mucosal status. If symptoms appear or risk factors change, timely reevaluation is needed to determine whether treatment is required.

If patients already have persistent stomach discomfort symptoms, or existing conditions such as gastric ulcers, intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa, a family history of stomach cancer, or long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which indicate a higher risk of complications, it is not recommended to forgo treatment. Long-term bacterial colonization can worsen gastric mucosal damage, potentially causing ulcer bleeding, perforation, and even increasing the risk of stomach cancer. Prompt intervention to eradicate the bacteria is necessary to reduce the likelihood of complications.

Patients should avoid self-diagnosis regarding the need for treatment and should seek professional medical evaluation. Even if treatment is temporarily unnecessary, maintaining good dietary and hygiene habits is essential to avoid加重 the burden on the gastric mucosa. Patients should cooperate in completing examinations such as gastroscopy and breath tests during regular follow-up visits.

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What are the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection?
Under normal circumstances, the main symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection include upper abdominal pain, postprandial fullness, acid reflux, belching, and nausea. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and treatment at a正规 hospital. In addition, some patients may also experience symptoms such as bad breath and weight loss. If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should pay attention to maintaining regular eating habits and avoid overeating in daily life.
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Is gastrointestinal bleeding contagious?
Under normal circumstances, gastrointestinal bleeding itself is not contagious. However, it is necessary to assess whether there is an indirect risk of transmission based on the underlying cause of the bleeding. Gastrointestinal bleeding caused by common gastric diseases is non-contagious, while bleeding resulting from specific infectious diseases requires attention to the potential contagiousness of the primary disease. In daily life, it is important to maintain good hygiene habits. If a family member has a Helicobacter pylori infection, precautions should be taken.
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How much Helicobacter pylori is considered serious?
The severity of Helicobacter pylori infection cannot be determined solely based on numerical values; it should be assessed comprehensively according to the reference range of the testing method and whether gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms are present. Daily attention should be paid to food hygiene, avoiding sharing eating utensils. If the test result is positive and gastrointestinal discomfort occurs, standardized treatment can be carried out under professional guidance, while maintaining regular eating habits and reducing intake of spicy or irritating foods to protect gastrointestinal health.
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What are the six manifestations of Helicobacter pylori?
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What is the best medication for treating Helicobacter pylori?
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What should I do if I am infected with Helicobacter pylori?
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