How much Helicobacter pylori is considered normal? How to avoid Helicobacter pylori infection at a dinner party?

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is an indicator for checking stomach diseases. Most gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers are related to Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori is a very tenacious bacteria in the human body, and even stomach acid cannot kill it. If you suspect that you have a stomach disease, you will generally have to check HP.

Helicobacter pylori level is normal

There is no specific numerical standard for Helicobacter pylori. It can only be detected by testing methods to determine whether it is infected.

The general detection methods for Helicobacter pylori (HP) are C13 breath test and C14 breath test. The reference value of C13 breath test is generally not more than 4, and it is considered positive if it exceeds 4.

The reference value of the C14 breath test should not exceed 100, and any value exceeding that is considered positive.

Generally, the test results are expressed as positive or negative, and the specific values ​​are rarely marked. If the test result is higher than the reference value, Hp infection should be considered.

How to avoid Helicobacter pylori infection at dinner parties

1. Use serving chopsticks

When you go out for a meal, use serving chopsticks to put food into your own bowl before eating. If everyone does this, you can avoid the food being contaminated by saliva and spreading Helicobacter pylori. However, this is a bit difficult, and not everyone can get used to using serving chopsticks.

2. Separate dining

You can go to a western restaurant or a buffet restaurant, where everyone has their own food and tableware. Avoid sharing food, tableware, or water cups.

3. Choose a clean and hygienic restaurant

In addition to the possibility of Helicobacter pylori transmission from eating together, restaurant hygiene is also very important. If the food has been contaminated with Helicobacter pylori during the preparation process, it is useless to pay attention to separate meals. When eating out, choose a clean and hygienic dining place with a public health certificate.

In addition, it is recommended to have a regular physical examination and a C-13 breath test every year. If the result is positive, timely treatment to eradicate Helicobacter pylori should be carried out. Take the medicine for 14 consecutive days, and then recheck the breath test or gastroscopy after 4 weeks of stopping the medicine. If you are diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori infection, it is best for your family to check it as well and treat it together, otherwise it is easy to cross-infect repeatedly. Do not take antibiotics (anti-inflammatory drugs) one month before the breath test, otherwise it will affect the accuracy of the results.

Where is Helicobacter pylori usually found?

Helicobacter pylori exists in the pylorus of the stomach. This bacterial infection first causes chronic gastritis, leading to gastric ulcers and gastric atrophy, and in severe cases, gastric cancer.

Helicobacter pylori parasitizes the gastric mucosa. 67% to 80% of gastric ulcers and 95% of duodenal ulcers are caused by HP. HP infection is in parallel with gastric cancer mortality.

Helicobacter pylori is mainly transmitted through two routes: "fecal-oral" and "oral-oral". Therefore, you must absorb it before and after meals, and try to use serving chopsticks when eating.