What does HP positive mean?

Generally, a positive HP result indicates an infection with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium primarily colonizing the gastric mucosa that may cause gastric discomfort and requires intervention depending on the specific circumstances. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic bacterium capable of surviving in the acidic environment of the stomach. It mainly spreads through oral-oral and fecal-oral routes; sharing eating utensils or drinking contaminated water can lead to infection. A positive test result indicates the presence of this bacterium in the stomach. However, not all infected individuals will experience obvious symptoms, and some may remain asymptomatic for a long time, only discovering the infection during medical examinations. If symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, acid reflux, heartburn, or reduced appetite occur after infection, it may suggest that the bacteria have already damaged the gastric mucosa. Long-term neglect could increase the risk of developing gastric diseases such as gastritis and peptic ulcers.

In daily life, individuals with positive HP test results should pay attention to food hygiene, avoid sharing eating utensils and cups with others to reduce the risk of bacterial transmission. Additionally, maintaining regular meal times, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, and reducing the burden on the stomach can help maintain gastric health.