WHAT IS HP BACTERIA?

Helicobacter Pylori (abbreviated as H.Pylori) belongs to the gram-negative category, which is a prevalent bacteria found in the stomach.

Most people infected with H.Pylori have no clinical symptoms. However, H. Pylori is considered to be able to cause many different diseases in the digestive system such as stomach ulcers and cancer.

 WHAT IS THE RATE OF HP INFECTION IN THE POPULATION?

In developing countries, the infection rate in the population is higher than in developed countries. It may be due to poor living environment conditions and increased possibility of infection among members living in the same family.

In Vietnam, the estimated prevalence is about 70%, with more men than women, varying between localities. There are some especially cases in children 1-2 years old.

RISK FACTORS FOR HP INFECTION?

Risk factors are mainly related to the state of the living environment and related social conditions

• House density.
• Population concentration.
• Source of domestic water.
• Number of siblings and family members.
• Living habits, sharing utensils and food in the family.
  

HOW IS HP INFECTION TRANSMITTED?

The main route of infection of H.Pylori in the community is oral-oral or fecal-oral.

Oral-oral route: HP exists in the oral cavity, in the patient's saliva or stomach fluid. If a healthy person comes into contact with fluid containing HP bacteria, the risk of infection is very high.

Fecal-oral route: HP in the digestive tract is also excreted in the feces and can spread to the community. Improper disposal of solid waste, unhygienic eating habits, not ensuring food safety, and raw, underprocessed food such as salad or raw food can cause Hp - Infection.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE HP BACTERIAL INFECTION?

There are many ways to diagnose H.Pylori infection:

• Blood tests.
• Urea breath test.
• Stool test.
• Endoscopy allows assessment of the condition of the gastric mucosa, and at the same time tests to detect the presence of H.Pylori.

HOW IS HP INFECTION TREATED?

• Treatment is with medication, which can last 14 days.
• Eliminating H. Pylori is to create conditions for ulcers to heal faster and limits complications that ulcers can cause.
• Follow-up is necessary to evaluate treatment effectiveness.
•  Patients may be scheduled for follow-up examinations and evaluation tests.

HOW TO PREVENT HP INFECTION?

• Do not share household utensils.
• When picking up food for people around you, you need to change the ends of your chopsticks.
• Avoid eating at restaurants that are not hygienic.
• Limit eating raw foods such as raw vegetables, salads, etc.
• Do not chew food for children.
• Regularly rinse eating utensils with boiling water.
• Pets such as dogs and cats also need to be bathed to limit pathogens.
• Proactively have regular health check-ups at least once a year to help with early detection.