What Is H. pylori?

A bacterium that infects the stomach lining, causing gastritis, ulcers, and increasing cancer risk.

Why Do I Need Testing/Treatment?

You may be tested if you have:

• Peptic ulcer disease
• Chronic dyspepsia
• Family history of gastric cancer

How Should I Prepare?

• Avoid PPIs for 2 weeks and antibiotics for 4 weeks before testing.
• Testing: urea breath test, stool antigen, or biopsies during endoscopy.

What Happens During Treatment?

• 10–14-day antibiotic regimen (clarithromycin-based triple or bismuth quadruple therapy).
• Continue PPI during therapy.

What Can I Expect Afterwards?

• Symptom improvement within days.
• Complete eradication in >85% with first‐line therapy.

Risks & Possible Complications

• Antibiotic side effects (diarrhea, taste disturbance)
• Reinfection risk (~1–2%/year)

Follow-Up

• Confirm eradication with breath or stool test ≥4 weeks post-treatment.