What is the stomach germ, and what are its symptoms in adults and children, is it contagious, and what is its treatment?
Germ stomach
Helicobacter pylori, scientific name Helicobacter pylori, is a type of bacteria that causes infections in the stomach.
It is the main cause of stomach ulcers and can cause gastritis and stomach cancer, according to the "medlineplus" database of the National Library of Medicine in the United States of America.
Symptoms of stomach germs
Most people have had the bacteria for years without even knowing it because they don't have any symptoms.
Nor do experts know why, according to The Johns Hopkins University.
You may have redness and swelling, which means inflammation in the lining of your stomach, which is called gastritis.
You may develop peptic ulcers or ulcers in your stomach or the first part of your small intestine (duodenum).
Symptoms of ulcers may include abdominal pain, which could be:
Constant dull pain.
Pain that occurs 2 to 3 hours after eating.
Pain that appears and then goes away for several days or weeks.
Alma that occurs in the middle of the night when your stomach is empty.
Pain that goes away when you take medicines that reduce stomach acid (antacids).
Other symptoms of an ulcer may include:
Weight loss.
Not feeling hungry.
bulging;
burping;
Feeling of stomach upset or nausea.
vomiting;
black stools
Ulcer symptoms may look like other health problems.
And always see your health care provider to be sure.
Symptoms of stomach germs in children
Many people who contract H. pylori do not realize this.
Often, these infections do not cause symptoms, according to the Kids Health website.
And when the bacteria cause symptoms, they are usually either symptoms of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease.
In children, symptoms of gastritis may include:
nausea;
vomiting;
Abdominal pain.
bloating;
In older children and adults, the most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is persistent or burning abdominal pain, usually in the area below the ribs and above the navel.
This pain often gets worse on an empty stomach and gets better just by eating food, drinking milk, or taking antacid medication.
Peptic ulcers that bleed can cause:
Vomiting blood or vomit that looks like ground coffee.
Black, bloody, or tar-like stools.
Symptoms of stomach germs for pregnant women
Generally the same symptoms as above, however you should see a doctor.
Causes of stomach germs
H. pylori is found in about 50% to 75% of the world's population, and it does not cause disease in most people.
H. pylori is believed to be spread through unclean food and water, or through contact with infected person's saliva and other body fluids, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Stomach germs can be transmitted from one person to another.
H. pylori has been found in saliva, plaque and faeces.
The infection can be spread by kissing, and the bacteria are also transmitted from the hands of those who have not washed them well after defecation.
Scientists believe that H. pylori may also spread through contaminated food and water.
Is stomach germs contagious?
Yes, H. pylori is contagious and can be passed from person to person.
Is stomach germs contagious between spouses?
The stomach germ is contagious and can be transmitted between spouses. The stomach germ has been found in saliva, and the infection can be spread through kissing.
The danger of stomach germs
H. pylori multiplies in the mucous layer of the lining of the stomach and duodenum.
The bacteria secrete an enzyme called urease that converts urea to ammonia.
This ammonia protects the bacteria from stomach acid.
When H. pylori multiplies, it feeds on stomach tissues, leading to gastritis, stomach ulcers, or one of the two diseases.
The relationship between stomach germs and stomach cancer
If you have H. pylori infection, you may increase your risk of stomach cancer later in life.
If you have a strong family history of stomach cancer and other cancer risk factors, even though you may not have symptoms of stomach ulcers, your health care provider may recommend testing for H. pylori.
stomach germs analysis
If your health care provider suspects that H. pylori bacteria may be causing a stomach ulcer, he or she may order one or more of the following tests:
Breath test: In this test, you exhale into a bag before and after drinking a solution.
The test measures the amount of carbon dioxide released into your breath before and after you drink the solution.
A higher level after drinking the solution means H. pylori is present.
Stool test: This test looks for evidence of H. pylori bacteria in a stool sample.
Upper endoscopy: A flexible tube is inserted down the throat into the stomach.
A small tissue sample is taken from the stomach or intestinal lining to check for the presence of H. pylori.
stomach germs treatment
If you don't have symptoms, no treatment is needed.
And if you've been diagnosed with H. pylori, avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
These medications can increase the risk of ulcers.
Ulcers caused by H. pylori are treated with a combination of antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor that reduces acidity, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Antibiotics: Two types of antibiotics are usually prescribed.
Common options include amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole.
Proton pump inhibitors: Commonly used proton pump inhibitors include lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole or esomeprazole.
Bismuth subsalicylate: This medication is sometimes added to antibiotics in combination with the proton pump inhibitors mentioned above.
This medicine protects the stomach lining.
The combination therapy is usually taken for 14 days.
When does stomach germs die?
There is no single drug that treats H. pylori infection, and most treatment regimens involve taking several medications for 14 days.
Your health care provider will repeat the breath and/or stool test after waiting at least 2 weeks after you finish treatment with a proton pump inhibitor and 4 weeks after you finish antibiotic treatment.
When symptoms of stomach germs disappear?
Symptoms of stomach germs, as mentioned above, may be caused by gastritis and stomach ulcers.
The disappearance of these symptoms depends on the treatment of these health conditions.
Treating stomach germs with herbs
Many studies have been done on natural H. pylori remedies.
Most treatments reduced the number of bacteria in the stomach but failed to eliminate them completely, according to a report in Healthline.
Consult your doctor before starting any herbal remedy. These tips are for general guidance, and are never a substitute for a doctor.
And you should not replace the recommended treatment for H. pylori with natural remedies.
With your doctor's approval, you can use natural remedies as an adjunct treatment.
This may increase the effects of conventional medicines.
Probiotics
Probiotics help maintain a balance between good and bad gut bacteria.
According to a 2012 study, taking probiotics before or after standard H. pylori treatment may improve eradication rates.
Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in your stomach.
Probiotics help replenish the beneficial bacteria.
Green tea
A 2009 study in mice showed that green tea may help kill and slow the growth of H. pylori, and that drinking tea during infection reduces the severity of gastritis.
olive oil
A 2007 study showed that olive oil has strong antibacterial abilities against 8 strains of H. pylori.
broccoli sprouts
A compound in broccoli sprouts called sulforaphane may be effective against H. pylori.
Research conducted on mice and humans indicates that it reduces gastritis.
Treating stomach germs with garlic
There is no effective natural remedy for H. pylori, but a 2016 study said that garlic has anti-H. pylori effects, and it can be prescribed with routine medications to treat H. pylori infection.
And you should consult your doctor before using garlic.
All of these tips are for general guidance, and never a substitute for a doctor.
And garlic should not be substituted for the recommended treatment for H. pylori.
Treating stomach germs with honey
Honey shows anti-bacterial abilities.
But no research has yet shown that honey can eliminate stomach germs on its own.
Researchers believe that using honey with standard treatments may shorten treatment time.
You should also consult your doctor before using honey.
These tips are for general guidance, and never a substitute for a doctor.
You should not substitute honey for the recommended treatment for H. pylori.
Stomach germs blood analysis
Blood tests to measure H. pylori antibodies use antibodies that are proteins made by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances such as bacteria.
And blood tests for H. pylori can tell if your body contains H. pylori antibodies.
It can't tell if you have a current infection or how long you've had it.
This is because the test can be positive for years, even if the infection is treated.
As a result, blood tests cannot be used to see if the infection has cleared after treatment.
Prevention of stomach germs
You can reduce the risk of stomach infection by:
Drink clean water and use clean water while preparing food. This is especially important if you live in areas of the world known to have polluted water supplies.
Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap and water before eating and after using the bathroom.
stomach germ shape
According to the internal medicine specialist, Dr. Muzaffar Hassan Abdullah - in an interview with Al Jazeera this morning - the stomach germ has 3 flagella that attaches itself to it and moves with it, and it can enter under the stomach lining.
Helicobacter pylori protects itself - according to what the internal medicine specialist says - by secreting substances that change the acidic protection system of the stomach.
He added that after the H. pylori bacteria changes the stomach system, symptoms appear on the person such as pain, indigestion, high acidity and vomiting, pointing out that one of the very serious symptoms - which requires a doctor immediately - is bleeding, whether by taking out vomit that looks like coffee, or passing stool. dark black.