Helicobacter: What You Need to Know About the Bacterium Found in Every Other Person

There are many myths surrounding Helicobacter pylori: some believe everyone has it and treatment isn't necessary, while others think it inevitably leads to stomach cancer. We debunk the myths and misconceptions together with gastroenterologist Vasily Kropochev.

What is Helicobacter and why can it survive in the stomach?

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa.

The stomach is an acidic environment, but the bacterium knows how to protect itself. It produces an enzyme called urease, which neutralizes the acid around it.

This allows Helicobacter to live in the stomach for years, largely unnoticed.

How common is this bacterium?

Research shows that the bacterium is found in approximately half of the world's population.

Infection most often occurs:

• in childhood

• within families

• through close household contact

Transmission is possible through saliva or contaminated food.

Why Helicobacter can be dangerous: from gastritis to lymphoma

In many people, the bacterium causes no symptoms at all. However, in some patients it can lead to complications such as:

• chronic gastritis

• peptic ulcer disease of the stomach or duodenum

• precancerous changes in the gastric mucosa

• stomach cancer

• gastric MALT lymphoma

This is why the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies Helicobacter pylori as a human carcinogen.

How to check whether you have the bacterium?

Both non-invasive and invasive methods are used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori.

Non-invasive tests

The most common are:

• breath test

• stool antigen test for Helicobacter pylori

These methods help detect an active infection.

Testing during gastroscopy

If a gastroscopy is performed, the doctor may take a small sample of the gastric mucosa (biopsy) for analysis.

Why is a blood test not always suitable?

A blood test detects antibodies to the bacterium. However, antibodies can persist even after treatment, so this test does not always clarify whether the infection is currently active. This is why it is used less and less in modern diagnostics.

Test preparation: why results can sometimes be false?

Sometimes a test shows the bacterium is absent when it is actually present. This most often happens due to inadequate preparation for the test.

To ensure accurate results, it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations. For example, a follow-up test after treatment should not be performed earlier than 4 weeks after completing antibiotics and bismuth-containing medications.

It is also generally necessary to discontinue proton pump inhibitors (medications that reduce stomach acidity) 2 weeks before the test. Failing to do so can lead to a false-negative result.

Test accuracy can also be affected by certain conditions, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, significant changes to the gastric mucosa, or recent antibiotic use for another reason.

When should Helicobacter be treated?

If the infection is confirmed, modern medicine generally recommends treatment to reduce the risk of ulcers and stomach cancer. A course of antibiotics is most commonly prescribed.

If Helicobacter pylori is detected again, this more often reflects incomplete eradication from the first course of therapy rather than reinfection. Reinfection is also possible, but occurs much less frequently.

FAQ: Common questions about Helicobacter

Is it true that everyone has Helicobacter?

No. The bacterium is found in roughly half of people, but not everyone.

Should Helicobacter be treated if there are no symptoms?

Yes, in some cases treatment is recommended even without symptoms, because the infection can sustain chronic gastric inflammation and increase the risk of complications.

Can Helicobacter be cured with diet, supplements, or folk remedies?

No. To date, the only effective treatment involves antibiotics. Diets, supplements, and "natural remedies" cannot eliminate the bacterium.

How do you know if treatment has worked?

After treatment, a follow-up test is usually performed — most commonly a breath test or stool test. These confirm whether the bacterium has truly been eliminated.

When should you seek medical attention urgently?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• vomiting blood

• black stools

• severe weakness

• sudden weight loss

• persistent vomiting

• difficulty swallowing

• signs of anemia

You can book an appointment via WhatsApp or by phone at Kandinsky Clinic: +971 456 312 00.

Author: Vasily Kropochev — gastroenterologist and general practitioner. Practices evidence-based medicine with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

Medical editor: Olga Polikina, Chief Medical Officer of Kandinsky Clinic, Candidate of Medical Sciences

Content reviewed: 04.04.2026

This material is for informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment are made individually in collaboration with a specialist.

Key sources:

• ACG Clinical Guideline, 2024

• Maastricht VI/Florence Consensus Report, 2022

• IARC Monographs, 1994

• Chen et al., Gastroenterology, 2024

• ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN Guidelines, 2024