Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Risk Factors of Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Some of the risk factors for getting H. pylori infection include;

• Children are more likely to have H. pylori infection than adults
• People in developing countries are at more risk
• Living in crowded places
• Interaction with an H. pylori-infected person
• Unhygienic conditions
• Unclean water consumption

Complications

Some complications are associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. These include;

• Gastritis: H. pylori cause stomach inflammation (swelling of the stomach lining)
• Stomach cancer: H. pylori can lead to stomach-related cancer.

Gastritis cancer, the second most cause of cancer death, is majorly associated with H. pylori infection.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, H. pylori is considered a ‘carcinogen’ (cancer-causing agent). Therefore, colonization of H. pylori in the stomach is the leading cause of ‘gastric cancer’ and sometimes ‘gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT)’.

• Ulcers: Almost 10% of people infected with H. pylori develop peptic ulcers. Painful sores form inside the lining of the upper digestive tract.

Complications associated with peptic ulcers:

If a stomach ulcer due to H. pylori is left untreated, it can produce certain complications:

• Stomach hole that causes infection
• Bleeding inside your stomach
• Stomach pain
• Black colored stool
• Blood vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• High fever

Stomach ulcers are not always caused by H. pylori. Nonetheless, it may also occur through the long-term use of pain relievers e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Research published by The Lancet confirmed that ‘ulcer rarely happens to those people who do not have H. pylori and history of anti-inflammatory drugs.

How common is H. pylori infection in children?

 

pylori infections i.e. gastritis and ulcer are very common in children of developing countries. Children with H. pylori often show symptoms; of bloody stool, blood in vomit that seems like coffee grounds, and sudden abdominal pain.
Immediately consult a Pediatrician, if your child shows any of these symptoms.

The exact cause of H. pylori infection is not known yet. The infection spreads through direct contact i.e. person to person interaction by saliva, fecal matter, or vomiting. The bacteria get entry into your digestive tract by;

• Eating unhygienic food
• Drinking contaminated water
• Unsanitized conditions i.e. not washing hands after use of the toilet