Is HP bacteria dangerous?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor of Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital
The full name of Helicobacter pylori is Helicobacter pylori. According to statistics, up to 70% of Vietnamese people are infected with HP. Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers, especially stomach cancer.

1. What is Helicobacter pylori?

Is HP bacteria dangerous is the question of many people. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that lives in the stomach. In order to survive, HP bacteria must secrete an enzyme called Urease to neutralize the acidity in the stomach.
Helicobacter pylori invades the stomach and causes chronic gastritis, long-lasting gastritis. Bacteria live in the stomach for decades in most people. Most individuals infected with H. pylori never experience clinical symptoms, despite chronic gastritis. About 10-20% of people with H. pylori colonization eventually develop stomach and duodenal ulcers and stomach pain. H. pylori infection is also associated with a 1-2% risk of gastric cancer and a less than 1% risk of gastric MALT lymphoma.

Trắc nghiệm: Làm thế nào để bảo vệ lá gan khỏe mạnh?

Làm test trắc nghiệm kiểm tra hiểu biết về gan có thể giúp bạn nhận thức rõ vai trò quan trọng của gan, từ đó có các biện pháp bảo vệ gan để phòng ngừa bệnh tật.

2. HP bacteria transmitted by which way?


Is HP bacteria dangerous is the concern and worry of many readers. The answer is yes. The main cause is that HP bacteria are able to spread from one person to another and it is often difficult to recognize the symptoms of the disease. Normally, HP bacteria spread through the following 3 ways:
Oral - oral: This is the main way HP bacteria spread. This type of bacteria can be transmitted by direct contact with the saliva of an infected person, through gastric juices, teeth. Therefore, if someone in the family is infected with HP bacteria, the risk of other family members being infected is very high. Fecal-oral route: HP bacteria from human feces are excreted into rivers and lakes and then infect water sources, which will cause the disease to spread widely in the community. In addition, the habit of eating raw and rare foods can also make you easily infected with HP bacteria.

Vi khuẩn HP là nguyên nhân gây biến chứng ung thư dạ dày
Vi khuẩn HP là nguyên nhân gây biến chứng ung thư dạ dày

3. Is the HP virus dangerous?


HP bacteria have the ability to infect all subjects. It is estimated that around 50% of the world's population is infected with H. However, the incidence of the disease will depend on many different factors such as: age, living habits, quality of life, geographical area.
Young children are at high risk of being infected with HP bacteria due to their habit of eating, kissing, or offering food to children. Although the infection rate is quite high, the disease symptoms are not clear, do not cause any complications on the gastrointestinal tract, so it is often difficult to recognize.

4. How to recognize when infected with HP


Symptoms caused by HP bacteria are often quite silent, unclear and difficult to recognize. Usually, when infected, the patient will appear abdominal pain in the epigastric region, indigestion, flatulence, stool disorders ... If you often experience such symptoms, you should see a doctor at the muscles reputable medical facility for the most accurate results.
Currently, to detect HP bacteria, doctors usually apply the following methods:
Invasive method: The doctor will conduct an endoscopy of the stomach and duodenum to evaluate the condition of stomach and duodenal ulcers. , atrophic mucosal inflammation as well as precancerous and cancerous lesions for monitoring and early surgery. After the endoscopy, the doctor will biopsies 2 tissue samples to conduct a rapid urease test, do a histopathological biopsy or a bacterial culture. Non-invasive method: For this method, the doctor can determine whether the patient is infected with HP bacteria or not without the need for gastroscopy. Non-invasive methods include 3 ways: breath test, test for HP bacteria in stool, test for HP antibodies in blood.

Dạ dày có vi khuẩn HP sẽ đe dọa lớn đến sức khỏe người bệnh
Dạ dày có vi khuẩn HP sẽ đe dọa lớn đến sức khỏe người bệnh

5. Dangerous complications of HP infection


Helicobacter pylori causes many diseases such as acute gastritis, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer. The following complications will help readers answer the question of whether HP bacteria are dangerous:
90 - 95% of patients with duodenal ulcers are infected with HP bacteria Over 70% of patients with gastric ulcers are infected with HP bacteria Above 50% of people with non-ulcer dyspepsia are infected with Helicobacter pylori About 90% of stomach cancers are associated with HP bacteria. Helicobacter pylori is one of the main causes of stomach cancer. However, in addition to Helicobacter pylori, there are a number of other factors such as the genetic source of the infected person, environmental factors, interactions between Hp bacteria and infected people. In Vietnam, more than 70% of gastric cancer cases are detected at a late stage. Detecting Hp infection by breath test and early gastric cancer screening by endoscopy is a must to contribute to early diagnosis, early treatment and return to normal life for patients.
Although the rate of people infected with HP bacteria progressing to cancer is not too high, this is also a big threat to the patient's health. Each person should have a proactive way to prevent and treat HP bacteria. Especially for those who have a history of digestive diseases or have family members who have been infected with HP bacteria. Early detection of HP bacteria makes the treatment process more effective. At Vinmec International General Hospital, using 13C carbon isotope in the breath test to diagnose H. pylori bacteria with the most advanced machine with 02 airbags, it has a very high diagnostic value (> 95%) ) while ensuring patient safety.

If you have unusual symptoms, you should be examined and consulted with a specialist.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

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