Treatment for Helicobacter Pylori Infection

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Treatment for Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Question:

I have helicobacter pylori. My doctor put me on four different antibiotics for 10 days. Will this cure me or will I have repeated episodes?

Answer:

Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with a variety of gastrointestinal disorders. There are several approaches to treating the infection.

"Cure" of helicobacter pylori infection is defined as the eradication of the organism. This means that it can no longer be detected in the stomach or small intestine.

Most treatments include three or four medications. One or two of these drugs will suppress the production of stomach acid. This helps create a lower acid environment in the stomach. The other drugs will be antibiotics.

The American College of Gastroenterology recommends several different treatment plans. In research studies, these treatment regimens got rid of helicobacter pylori between 70% and 90% of the time. About 20% of people being treated will not be successful with their first treatment. They can try one of the other treatment plans. Most people will have success after their second course of treatment. The few people who still need help should see a specialist. Failure to get rid of helicobacter pylori is often because a person has not taken all of the antibiotics that were prescribed.

Taking multiple antibiotics is very likely to cure you of helicobacter pylori, but you must take all of the medications as prescribed. Even if you do not have a cure with this first treatment, a second round should do it. It is quite uncommon for someone to have repeated episodes of helicobacter pylori.

Last updated:	July 20, 2009