Helicobacter pylori Test

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication, such as lansoprazole or omeprazole can make the H. pylori stool test less accurate. If you take PPIs you should stop this at least 2 weeks before testing. It is usually safe to stop this medication for a short period of time, but if you're not sure, speak to your prescriber.

We do not recommend using this test panel if you are a child (17 years or under) unless supervised by an adult. If you are using this test to confirm eradication of H. pylori after treatment, you should wait a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks after finishing treatment before taking the test.

If you're unsure if you should use this test panel, please contact us for advice.

Most people with H. pylori infection actually do not have any symptoms.

The commonest symptoms of H. pylori infection are:

• Indigestion - pain or discomfort in the stomach shortly before or after eating
• Bloating and belching
• Feeling sick or nauseous
• Uncomfortable fullness after eating
• Diarrhoea and floating stools

H. pylori causes inflammation in the stomach (gastritis) and, over time, this chronic inflammation can cause stomach cancer. However, millions of people around the world are infected with H. pylori but very few (around 1-3 in every 100) develop stomach cancer. You'd need to be infected with H. pylori for years for a stomach cancer to develop. Studies have shown that treating H. pylori effectively reduces the risk of developing stomach cancer.

H. pylori infection is very common and it's though to affect up to 1-in-5 people in the UK. H. pylori is a contagious bacterium and can spread directly from person-to-person via saliva, vomit or stool. It commonly spreads within households, so you're at higher risk if someone else in your household is infected. H. pylori also spreads through contaminated food and water.