Should Helicobacter pylori be treated?
Disease description:
I have been experiencing frequent diarrhea lately. After an examination, the doctor found that I have Helicobacter pylori infection. I would like to know whether Helicobacter pylori infection requires treatment?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) usually requires treatment. H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can survive in the highly acidic environment of the stomach and is closely associated with various gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, and stomach cancer.
If H. pylori infection is detected (positive test result), and there are related clinical symptoms such as stomach pain, indigestion, loss of appetite, anemia, or if the individual belongs to a high-risk group for stomach cancer or peptic ulcer disease, treatment is generally necessary.
Treatment for H. pylori mainly includes medication therapy and surgical therapy. Medication therapy typically involves triple or quadruple therapy, combining proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics, and bismuth-containing agents. Surgical treatment is suitable for patients with severe conditions such as gastrointestinal bleeding, acute gastric perforation, or gastric polyps. During treatment, patients should also pay attention to dietary and hygiene practices to aid in recovery.
If H. pylori infection is detected along with related symptoms or if the individual belongs to a high-risk group, prompt medical consultation and standardized treatment are recommended.
