Appropriate antibiotic treatment will rid the bacterial infection in most patients, with complete elimination of mucosal inflammation and a minimal chance of return of ulcers. Long-term infection could lead to some stomach cancers. Persons with active gastric or duodenal ulcers or a documented history of ulcers should be tested for H. pylori, and if found to be infected, they should be treated. The cause of H. pylori infection is uncertain. Other than age, the main risk factor for infection is low income.
Humans are the major reservoir-but the exact route and source of infection is unknown.
Several methods may be used to diagnose H. pylori infection. Blood tests that measure specific antibodies to the bacteria can determine if a person has been infected and is probably the least invasive and least expensive test. It is very important to take all of this medicine until it is gone. Antibiotic resistance and patient noncompliance are the two major reasons for treatment failure. If side effects occur that make it hard to take the medicine it may be necessary to change or stop treatment-but the patient should talk to the health care provider first.