Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori is a spiral-shaped bacteria. These bacteria can enter the stomach and cause an infection known as an H. pylori infection. It is a common type of infection, but since H. pylori symptoms do not always manifest, you may have the infection and not know about it.

The common H. pylori symptom s include gnawing stomach pain, burning pain in the stomach, frequent burping, nausea, and vomiting. The treatment may involve the use of two antibiotics and possibly another medicine to heal the stomach lining.

Causes
The exact cause of an H. pylori infection is not known.

Risk Factors
Most people contract an H. pylori infection during their childhood. Some risk factors may include –

• No access to clean drinking water.
• Crowded or unhygienic living conditions.
• Living with a person with an H. pylori infection.

Complications
An H. pylori infection can cause some serious health damage. Possible complications can be –

• Gastritis – This infection can cause irritation inside the stomach. It can lead to inflammation or gastritis.
• Peptic ulcers – Stomach contains acid or digestive juices.

It is possible to treat an H. pylori infection with timely treatment. As soon as the H. pylori symptoms manifest, consult a doctor.

If you notice the H. pylori symptoms becoming worse, contact your doctor immediately. The worsening of symptoms may present as persistent pain in the abdomen, bloody stools and vomit and difficulty in swallowing.