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Stomach pain or discomfort ?

From the first signal

Call your doctor Trianle bleu

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— Understand¹

You maybe infected with Helicobacter pylori¹

Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium that is characterised by its spiral form. The bacteria colonises the stomach and survives in the hostile acidic environment. The condition is characterised by an inflammation of the stomach, known as gastritis. Helicobacter pylori infection is a prevalent condition, affecting approximately 4.4 billion individuals worldwide. The bacterium is primarily transmitted through the oral route, typically occurring between parents and children or between siblings. The condition is primarily transmitted during childhood and persists throughout a person's life if left undetected and untreated.

Comprendre
Point bleu

The consequences are sometimes serious1,2,3

Approximately

4.4 billion

Individuals are
infected worldwide

Contaminée

70 to 95 %

Of stomach
ulcers are caused
by this bacteria

Bactérie

Close to

89%

Of stomach cancers
are related to
Helicobacter pylori

Développer

— Recognise

Points bleu

Different situations that could alert you4

Fond vagues Douleurs

Stomach pain

Fond vagues Inconfort

Discomfort

Fond vagues Lourdeur

Indigestion or a feeling of stomach heaviness

Fond vagues Parenté

Relatives

a 1st degree relative who has or had stomach pre-cancerous or cancerous lesions

«This list is non-exhaustive; provided for information purposes. It is recommended to consult your doctor.»

Stomach inflammation (gastritis) often goes unnoticed and does not cause any symptoms for several years. Problems with your stomach (e.g. stomach pain) can also happen and get worse over time, leading to conditions like ulcers and, rarely, stomach cancer. Bacteria are very important in causing ulcers. Most ulcers (70 to 95%) are linked to a Helicobacter pylori infection. It is also responsible for most stomach cancers (up to 89%). If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor straight away. You might have a stomach infection called Helicobacter pylori.2,3

Diagnose, treat, confirm

— Three key steps to fight against bacteria —

Point numéro 1

— Diagnose5

To avoid letting bacteria settle in

As soon as the first symptoms appear, it is important to consult your doctor. Depending on the troubles that you describe and whether he believes that bacteria could be responsible, he will offer to perform a diagnostic test to detect the presence of bacteria. Based on the results of this test, the doctor will then advise on next steps.

There are several techniques for detecting the bacteria:

  • Fibroscopy, also known as gastroscopy, is a diagnostic procedure that allows for the visual inspection of the lining of the stomach. It can be used to obtain samples (biopsies) for subsequent analysis and detection of bacteria or potential ulcerative or precancerous lesions. These lesions could have been caused by bacteria.
  • Serology is an analysis of blood samples to detect the presence of antibodies produced by the body in response to infection. This examination is primarily indicated for patients who do not present with any symptoms associated with the digestive system, nor do they exhibit any risk factors that would suggest the potential development of cancer. Should the result be negative, the presence of infection can be ruled out; thus, the necessity for performing a fibroscopy is negated. A fibroscopic examination with sampling will only be performed if the result is positive.
  • A stool analysis is used to detect the bacteria by using immuno-enzymatic techniques.
  • Breath test consists of blowing into tubes and swallowing a solution that interacts with the bacteria. These tubes are then analysed to detect the presence of the bacteria.
Point numéro 2

— Treat2

An eradication treatment is often rapid and effective

In the majority of cases, Helicobacter pylori can be treated expeditiously. The treatment is based on the administration of multiple antibiotics in conjunction with a medication that reduces stomach acidity. The duration of this treatment is between 10 and 14 days. In the event that this treatment proves to be ineffective, a decision will be taken to modify the antibiotics.

Up to

90 %

efficacity
following treatment

Traiter
Point numéro 3

— Confirm2,4,5

To be completely sure that the bacteria no longer exists

Treatment failure can occur in 10-20% of cases, either because the bacteria is resistant to the antibiotics being used, or because of poor adherence to treatment. Therefore, your doctor will ask you to take another test to confirm that the bacteria was eradicated by the treatment you have just taken. If, however, there is still bacteria present, another additional treatment will be prescribed.

In order to confirm that the bacteria has indeed been eliminated, different tests can be used:

  • The Breath test.
  • Stool antigen test.

Your general practitioner

— The healthcare professional you should consult —

Demander médecin

What he/she will ask

Your general practitioner is your point of contact. He knows you and will find the proper questions to ask. Family history, lifestyle, age, and symptoms… All of these factors can guide and, if necessary, lead him to make a diagnosis.

What he/she will do

If necessary, your doctor may prescribe a test to detect the presence of the bacteria. If the test is positive, he will prescribe a treatment and will check that this treatment was effective through a post-treatment test. He may also refer you to a gastroenterologist who could, for example, perform a fibroscopic exam to pursue the investigation.

Action médecin

FAQ

— find answers to the most frequently asked questions —

Is diet a determining factor for recovery from a Helicobacter pylori infection? Is it necessary to change my diet?

Changing your diet is not sufficient to treat the infection, but may help reduce stomach discomfort and pain. In addition, studies have shown that some dietary habits, such as eating too much salt, too many proteins and smoked foods, may be involved in the occurrence of gastric cancer. Furthermore, the consumption of anti-oxidants (vitamin E, Beta-carotene or provitamin A, ascorbic acid or vitamin C) in fruits and vegetables, even in small quantities, seems to reduce the risk of developing gastric cancer.

I have difficulties to take the treatment as required. What will happen if I stop it in the middle?

If the treatment is not strictly followed (number of doses, time of intake and treatment duration) or if it is discontinued prematurely, the bacteria may not be completely eradicated, and they may develop a resistance to antibiotics. If this is the case, you will have to take a new treatment composed of different antibiotics that the bacteria are not resistant to, in order to completely eradicate it. If you have some problems to take your treatment, consult your doctor for advice.

Can you get re-infected after the bacteria is eradicated?

The recurrence of the infection is theoretically possible, but rare in adults in Western countries (2 to 3% per year). Therefore, performing a test for a potential new infection is not recommended if the eradication of the bacteria was confirmed by a post-treatment test.

The post-treatment test detected the presence of Helicobacter pylori; however, my symptoms disappeared after my treatment. What is the benefit of getting rid of the bacteria?

Completely getting rid of the bacteria allows the layer of the stomach and the ulcers to recover from the inflammation with an extremely low risk of relapse.

Since people are generally infected during childhood, should children be screened for Helicobacter pylori?

The Helicobacter pylori test in children is only justified if symptoms appear suggesting stomach disease. Healthcare authorities and academic societies do not recommend screening for Helicobacter pylori if there are no clinical signs (stomach troubles).

A member of my family had stomach cancer. Should I worry? What should I do?

Screening for Helicobacter pylori is highly recommended if a member of your family (parents, siblings) has or had pre-cancerous or cancerous lesions. In fact, the relatives of a patient who had stomach cancer are more prone to a Helicobacter pylori infection that can, in some cases, lead to cancer.

Is there a vaccine?

No, there is currently no vaccine against a Helicobacter pylori infection.
In theory, a vaccine is feasible. However, given that a Helicobacter pylori infection can be easily diagnosed and treated, the benefit of a large scale vaccination remains low.

What are the main transmission routes of Helicobacter pylori infection?

The infection is mainly transmitted through secretions coming from the stomach:
- Through direct contact with vomit, regurgitation or infected saliva
- Through the fecal-oral route due to poor hygiene
The bacteria is mainly transmitted between members of the same family, particularly children. The risk of transmission seems to decrease after 5 years of age.

References: :

1. Hooi JKY, Lai WY, Ng WK, et al. Global Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Gastroenterology. 2017 Aug;153(2):420-429.

2. HAS, Treating Helicobacter pylori, March 2019

3. Pasteur Institute, https://www.pasteur.fr/en/medical-center/disease-sheets/stomach-cancer-and-gastric-ulcers#:~:text=duodenal%20ulcer%20develops.-,H.,and%2070%25%20of%20gastric%20ulcers, consulted 11/06/2025

4. HAS, Screening for Helicobacter pylori, March 2019

5. HAS, Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults, May 2017

EDU-GB-001351