Misconceptions about HP bacteria and stomach disease

The article was professionally consulted by Gastroenterologist, Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital

Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of stomach ulcers. So is HP virus contagious? Proper awareness of HP bacteria in the stomach will have a reasonable way to prevent and treat the disease.

Studies show that there are hundreds of different types of HP bacteria, in which, only certain types of bacteria carrying the highly virulent CagA gene have a high risk of causing cancer. In fact, more than 70% of patients carry the HP virus, but not everyone gets cancer.

HP bacteria are very contagious and are mainly transmitted through the following ways:
Oral - oral: In addition to the stomach lining, HP bacteria also exist in saliva, plaque on teeth and oral cavity of patients. Therefore, HP bacteria can be transmitted from person to person through sharing dishes, kissing directly.
Fecal-oral route: HP bacteria exist in the feces of an infected person, so it can be transmitted through hands (if you do not wash your hands after going to the toilet), or the bacteria are transmitted through intermediate animals such as mice, cockroaches, flies, ....
Gastrointestinal tract : Helicobacter pylori in the stomach can be infected during gastric endoscopy at medical facilities, when the endoscope is not With clean hygiene, HP bacteria can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person.

To test for HP bacteria, there are two methods that can be done as follows:
Invasive method : Take a biopsy tissue sample from the patient by gastroduodenal endoscopy for examination. This method is often indicated for patients with symptoms such as weight loss, anemia, anorexia.... Non-invasive method: HP bacteria are tested in the breath and stool of the patient.

If HP bacteria cause clinical symptoms (abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, vomiting ...) then treatment is extremely important to reduce the harm it brings. The treatment of HP eradication when inflammation, gastric and duodenal ulcers is very necessary to prevent complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric perforation and gastric cancer.