Helicobacter Pylori Tests: What To Think About

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What To Think About

• The radioactive urea breath test is not recommended for children or for pregnant or breast-feeding women because of exposure to a small amount of radioactivity.
• The stool antigen test is the newest and least expensive of the four tests for Helicobacter pylori, but it may not be as accurate as the other tests. The stomach biopsy is very accurate, but it is the most expensive and most risky of the four tests.
• A negative stool antigen test does not always mean that an H. pylori infection is not present.
• Although many people are infected with H. pylori bacteria, only a few of them will develop peptic ulcer disease. For this reason, other factors (such as a person's symptoms) should be considered when interpreting the results of an H. pylori test.
• Blood tests for H. pylori may be positive for several years after the infection; therefore, the urea breath test or a biopsy may be used to determine if treatment has been effective.
• If your symptoms persist, an endoscopy may be needed. For more information, see the medical test Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
• Having an infection with H. pylori increases your chances of having cancer of the stomach; but the risk is very low.

Last updated:	January 11, 2008
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Andrew H. Soll, MD - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC