H. pylori infection occurs when a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infects your stomach, usually during childhood. H. pylori bacteria can be passed through direct contact with saliva, vomit or fecal matter. H. pylori can also be spread through contaminated food or water. A common cause of peptic ulcers, H. pylori infection is present in about half the people in the world.

Most people with H. pylori infection will never have any signs or symptoms. When signs or symptoms do occur with H. pylori infection, they may include: an ache or burning pain in your abdomen, nausea, vomiting, frequent burping, bloating, and weight loss. More severe symptoms include: severe or persistent abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, bloody or black tarry stools, bloody or black vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Complications associated with H. pylori infection include: A) Ulcers: H. pylori can damage the protective lining of your stomach and small intestine. This can allow stomach acid to create an ulcer. B) Inflammation of the stomach lining: H. pylori infection can irritate your stomach, causing gastritis. C) Stomach cancer: H. pylori infection is a strong risk factor for certain types of stomach cancer.

Common tools for detection of H. pylori are blood and stool tests. In addition, your gastroenterologist may perform an upper endoscopy to view any irregularities in your upper digestive tract and remove tissue samples via biopsy. These samples are analyzed for H. pylori infection.