| le="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" | | | | infection can easily pass from one person to another if |
| class=MsoNormal>Helicobacter infection, also known | | | | there is a direct contact to fecal matter or saliva. It can |
| as H. pylori infection is caused when a bacterium | | | | also disseminate through untreated water. The |
| known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infects the | | | | bacteria enter the body through mouth and makes |
| duodenum (first part of small intestine) or stomach. | | | | roads into the digestive system. Though the stomach |
| This infection is present in almost half the population of | | | | and acid in it can resist a variety of bacteria, H. pylori |
| the world. It shows no signs or symptoms in the | | | | bacterium has proven to be an exception. This is |
| majority of people but in some, it can lead to harmful | | | | because the bacterium with the help of biochemical |
| diseases such as ulcer and even stomach cancer. | | | | processes makes a low-acid zone for itself, which |
| Symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection | | | | helps it to survive the high acid levels in the stomach. |
| Though present in large number of people, this infection | | | | Treatment for Helicobacter infection |
| shows no signs or symptoms. However, a person | | | | Antibiotics play a major role in eradicating the H. pylori |
| suffering from complications of this infection may | | | | infection. A combination of medications can easily help |
| show the following symptoms | | | | eradicate H. pylori from the body. Other medications |
| · Vomiting | | | | include Proton Pump inhibitors such as rabeprazole |
| · Nausea | | | | (Aciphex), Omeprazole (Prilosec) and esomeprazole |
| · Frequent Burping | | | | (Nexium) and Histamine (H-2) blockers such as |
| · Weight loss | | | | Ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid) and Famotidine |
| · Burning sensation in the abdominal region | | | | (Pepcid), all of which enhance the effects of antibiotics, |
| Causes of H. pylori infection | | | | which in turn help to heal the infection. |
| The H. pylori Bacterium cause H. pylori infection. This | | | | |