Risk of infection is higher for persons who live in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions.
When the bacteria do cause symptoms, they are usually either symptoms of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. In children, symptoms of gastritis may include nausea, vomiting, and frequent complaints about pain in the abdomen. H. Pylori is also suspected to play a role in peptic or stomach ulcers where the most common symptom is a gnawing or burning pain in the abdomen, usually in the area below the ribs and above the navel. This pain typically gets worse when someone with ulcers has an empty stomach and improves as soon as they eat food, drink milk, or take antacid medicine. Diagnosis and Treatment Younger children with peptic ulcer disease may not have symptoms as clear cut as those of older children, and thus their illness may be harder to diagnose.