Helicobacter pylori and Related Diseases

Abstract

Most people infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are asymptomatic; however, some will develop peptic ulcer disease, while still others will develop gastric cancer. Testing for H. pylori infection is recommended for specific groups of patients. Treatment is complicated and generally requires a combination of medicines taken together for 10-14 days. Once treated, patients should be retested to determine cure. Reinfection among adults cured of H. pylori infection is infrequent. Cure of H. pylori infection dramatically reduces peptic ulcer recurrence. In populations at high risk of gastric cancer, treating asymptomatic young adults reduces the subsequent risk of gastric cancer.