How is HP bacteria that causes gastritis transmitted?

Ways of HP bacteria infection

Until now, exactly how people get infected with HP is still not clear. But HP bacteria are transmitted from person to person through direct oral-oral route in family members and transmitted through feces, due to contaminated food or drinking water.

Records show that HP bacteria have been found in human feces, saliva and dental plaque. It is possible that chewing rice and feeding rice to children in some countries, including Vietnam, in the past was also a direct cause of HP transmission. Or it can be transmitted from one person to another through sharing personal hygiene items, teeth, bowls, chopsticks, etc.

In developed countries, where general hygiene is very good, transmission is mainly from family members to each other, while in developing countries, including Vietnam, transmission can occur from community infection.

Thus, it can be said that the most ideal living environment for HP bacteria is the stomach lining. In fact, it is an anaerobic bacteria, so it can only survive in an oxygen-deficient environment, and it also produces catalase - a substance that can destroy the stomach lining. Crowded living, poor hygiene, medical care, and epidemic prevention with polluted water sources are the causes of HP infection.

HP bacteria - Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers, especially stomach cancer.

In fact, not all patients with gastritis are caused by HP bacteria, however, the rate of disease originating from this bacteria is often considered more common. In Vietnam, the rate of HP infection is about 70-80% depending on each study.

Studies show that HP bacteria infection is the main cause of chronic gastric and duodenal ulcers. Although HP bacteria are easily transmitted through many different ways, if you know how to prevent it, you can completely avoid this type of bacteria.

How do I know if I have HP bacteria?

Symptoms in people infected with HP bacteria are often silent and unclear. Usually the disease causes epigastric pain, bloating, indigestion, stool disorders, etc. In case of such pain, it is best to go to the hospital for the most accurate results.

There are many ways to detect whether or not there is an HP bacteria infection in the stomach. Doctors may prescribe a method through a gastroscopy: biopsy to culture HP bacteria, do a pathological test to find HP bacteria, and do a rapid urease test.

Methods that do not require gastroscopy to determine HP are C13, C14 breath tests, serum IgG antibody tests, and HP bacterial antigen tests in stool. The World Gastroenterology Organization recommends that in practice, HP examination and treatment should be treated with these two methods: C13, C14 breath tests and rapid urease tests.

Is it necessary to treat HP bacteria?

Many people think that if you are infected with HP bacteria, you will get stomach cancer. However, HP bacteria is one of the causes of stomach cancer, not everyone infected with HP bacteria will get stomach cancer.

When infected with HP bacteria, patients can test whether HP bacteria belong to the virulent group carrying the CagA gene or not. In fact, the rate of HP infection in the general population is up to 60 - 70%, but only a small percentage of patients have symptoms and lesions on endoscopy, these patients need treatment.

Symptoms in people infected with HP bacteria are often silent and unclear.

According to recommendations, the following cases of HP infection need to be treated to eradicate HP:

• People with stomach ulcers; Duodenal ulcers
• People with indigestion: Fullness after eating, feeling full quickly, burning sensation in the epigastric region, pain in the epigastric region
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
• Late gastric cancer surgery
• Early gastric cancer is resected (Endoscopic Mucosal Resection- EMR) or endoscopic mucosal dissection (Endoscopic Sumucosal Dissection- ESD)
• People whose father, mother, or siblings have stomach cancer
• Gastric tumors: adenoma, hyperplastic polyp, mucosal resection
• Atrophic gastritis
• People working in environments with risk of stomach cancer: coal mining, ore mining...

Summary: HP bacteria is the main cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers and stomach cancer. However, not all people infected with HP bacteria get sick, so it is necessary to treat HP properly to avoid unnecessary waste.

To prevent HP bacteria infection, it is necessary to proactively clean and prevent epidemics in the living area: clean water sources, food, and accommodation. Wash hands thoroughly when eating and drinking. If there is someone in the family with stomach disease caused by HP bacteria, they should be isolated, not share food, and clean dishes and chopsticks to avoid infection.

Dr. Tran Minh Phuong

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/vi-khuan-hp-gay-viem-da-day-lay-qua-duong-nao-17224030212045093.htm