H. Pylori Infection

Condition

H.Pylori Infection In A Nutshell

Helicobacter Pylori (H.Pylori) is a type of bacteria that lives in the acidic environment of your stomach.
H.Pylori bacteria can enter the body through food, water, and contact with saliva or fluid from infected people.
An infection from this bacteria can cause inflammation and ulcers in the stomach lining leading to a dull pain in the belly.
In severe cases, H. pylori infections may lead to stomach cancer.
A gastroscopy is usually recommended if you are displaying signs of H.Pylori infection.
An alternative method of detecting H.Pylori infection is through a urea breath test.

H. Pylori Infection

What Is H. Pylori Infection?

Helicobacter pylori (or H. pylori) is a type of bacteria found in the acidic environment of the stomach. The bacteria thrive in an acidic environment, making the stomach a perfect habitat for growth. These bacteria can enter the body through food, water, utensils, and contact with saliva or body fluids from infected people.

H.pylori infection can cause inflammation and ulcers in the stomach lining leading to dull pain in the belly. In severe cases, H. pylori infections may lead to stomach cancer.

If you suspect that you may have an H. pylori infection, seek medical advice from our doctor, who may conduct a gastroscopy to investigate the cause of your discomfort. Alternatively, consider arranging for a urea breath test. The test may help identify signs of H. pylori infection and offer early treatment for your infection.

What Causes H. Pylori Infections?

While the exact cause of H.pylori infections is not known, H.pylori bacteria has been known to exist for thousands of years. The bacteria are spread through contact with saliva or body fluids from infected people.

They may also be transferred from faeces to the mouth, which can happen if good hygiene is not observed – e.g. when the hands are not washed properly after using the washroom. Additionally, H. pylori may also spread through contact with contaminated water, food, or utensils.

H.pylori bacteria can cause the stomach mucous lining to weaken, making the stomach more vulnerable to harsh acids. Stomach acid, along with the bacteria, may irritate the stomach lining. It may also lead to the formations of sores (or ulcers) in the stomach or duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine.

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What Puts You At Risk For H. Pylori Infections?

H.pylori infection is more commonly observed in children and during the early stages of childhood.

Risk factors for H. pylori infection may also be related to certain living conditions such as:

Overcrowding in living conditions. As H. pylori infection can spread through saliva contact with infected people, crowded conditions can lead to a greater risk of being infected.
Lack of clean water. H. pylori bacteria may survive in contaminated water; thus, having a clean supply of running water can help reduce the risk of infection.
Living with an infected person in the household. If you live with someone infected with H. pylori, it is more likely to be infected through contact with their body fluids such as saliva.

How Do I Know If I Am Infected With H. Pylori?

Most people with H. pylori infections may not experience any symptoms.

In cases where the infection leads to the development of sores in the stomach, symptoms such as abdominal pain may be experienced. This experience may come and go but may be felt more commonly when your stomach is empty.

Other symptoms that may arise due to an H. pylori infection may include;

Excessive burping
Bloatedness
Feelings of nausea
Heartburn
Loss of appetite

In some instances, patients may also experience unexplained weight loss. In rare cases, H. pylori infections may also lead to stomach cancer.

If the symptoms you are experiencing persists, you are advised to seek medical advice immediately to do a conclusive investigation on your condition through a gastroscopy.

What Diagnostic Tests Are Available For H. Pylori Infection?

There are several tests available to check for H. pylori infection. The most appropriate test will depend on your symptoms, medical history and whether your doctor needs to investigate the stomach lining for other conditions.

At G&L Surgical Clinic, testing options may include a stool test, urea breath test or gastroscopy.

Stool Test

A stool test can detect the presence of H. pylori in a stool sample. It is a non-invasive option that may be recommended when there is a need to check for an active H. pylori infection without undergoing an endoscopic procedure.

For the test, you will be provided with a sample collection container and instructions on how to collect a small stool sample at home. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing to determine whether H. pylori is present.

At G&L Surgical Clinic, H. pylori stool testing is available at $80.

Urea Breath Test

A urea breath test is another non-invasive way of detecting an active H. pylori infection.

During the test, you will drink a solution containing urea. If H. pylori is present in the stomach, the bacteria can break down the urea and produce carbon dioxide. This can then be detected in your breath.

The urea breath test does not require an endoscope and may be suitable for patients who require non-invasive testing. It can also be used after treatment to check whether the infection has been successfully eradicated.

Gastroscopy

A gastroscopy allows the doctor to examine the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and upper part of the small intestine using a thin, flexible camera called an endoscope.

During a gastroscopy, the doctor can:

Examine the stomach lining for signs of inflammation, ulcers or other abnormalities
Look for changes that may be associated with H. pylori infection
Take a small tissue sample (biopsy) for further testing when required
Investigate other possible causes of persistent upper abdominal symptoms

Gastroscopy may be recommended when symptoms require further investigation or when your doctor needs to assess the stomach lining in addition to testing for H. pylori.

How Is H.Pylori Infection Treated?

Depending on whether you are experiencing symptoms, not all cases of H.Pylori infections require treatment.

However, if you have been diagnosed with H.Pylori infection, it is advisable to avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg. ibuprofen, high dosage aspirin etc.) as these drugs may increase the chances of you developing stomach ulcers.

Stomach ulcers caused by H.Pylori infection can be treated with a combination of antibiotics and an acid-reducing proton pump inhibitor, but some people may need stronger medications than others in order to recover quicker.

What Are The Possible Complications Of H. Pylori Infections?

If left untreated, H.pylori could lead to complications such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, or even stomach cancer. H.pylori may damage or irritate the lining on your stomach making you more susceptible to the above mentioned conditions.

How Can H. Pylori Infections Be Prevented?

H.pylori infection can be avoided by maintaining good personal hygiene. Taking simple steps such as washing your hands thoroughly, eating food that has been prepared in a clean environment, and drinking water from a safe source can all help prevent the spread of H.pylori infection.

Can I Use Medisave To Cover The Cost Of My H.Pylori Treatment At G&L Surgical Clinic?

G & L Surgical Clinic is here to help you work through your costing and finance concerns. With partnerships with most local insurers, we’ll coordinate the processes required so that coverage for treatment at our clinic will be managed quickly without any hassle or confusion on behalf of either party. You can be rest assured that we will endeavour to do our best in ensuring you enjoy a hassle-free experience when it comes to managing your H.Pylori infection with G & L Surgical Clinic.

How Much Does a H.Pylori Treatment Cost in Singapore?

The price for diagnosing and treating H.Pylori might differ for individuals depending on the investigative procedure that you opt for. Patients who opt for gastroscopic investigation can expect to pay a range of $800 to $900 in terms of doctor’s fee at a private hospital according to MOH’s Historical Transacted Bill Sizes and Fee Benchmark. This price may change depending on your insurance plan, deductibles (e.g. MediShield Life, Integrated Shield Plans) and MediSave payouts.

Fees to treat H.Pylori infection will also differ depending on the severity of the condition. For more information about the cost of H.Pylori Treatment, speak to our team for financial counselling. Our Team at G&L Surgical Clinic endeavours to provide you with the necessary support to ensure that you have a seamless experience.