H. pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach and is the most common infection in the world. H. pylori can damage the stomach’s lining making it more vulnerable to stomach acid, and those infected with this bacteria are more likely to develop stomach inflammation (gastritis) and more serious conditions such as peptic ulcers and cancer of the stomach.
Once detected, H. pylori can be treated. If you’re diagnosed with a stomach ulcer caused by H. pylori, your doctor is likely to treat you with a mix of antibiotic medicines and acid suppressing medication to kill the bacteria. People usually become infected as children, but you can also be infected as an adult.
Unlike a blood test, a stool test can tell you if you currently have h.pylori bacteria in your stomach and thus have an active infection.
A positive test result indicates the presence of a current infection and is not affected by the presence of other organisms, antacids, barium sulphate, blood or fat.
Your test kit for your stool sample and all instructions are posted directly to you.