Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Tests
Reviewed
Also called: H. pylori stool antigen, H. pylori breath tests, Urea breath test, Rapid urease test (RUT) for H. pylori, H. pylori culture
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common type of bacteria that infects the lining of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine.
Specimen: breath, stool, or tissue (biopsy)
Urgent safety information
Get medical help right away if you have: Signs of stomach bleeding which include: Black or tarry stool, Red blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, Sudden, sharp or severe belly pain that doesn't go away, Dizziness or fainting, A rapid pulse (heartbeat) or other symptoms of shock, A chance or worsening in your symptoms if you already know you have an ulcer.
Why this test may be ordered
- To find out if an H. pylori infection is the cause of digestive symptoms
- To find out if treatment has cured an H. pylori infection
- Symptoms of gastritis or an ulcer, such as upper belly pain, bloating, or nausea
Preparation and collection
Be sure to talk with your provider about all medicines you are currently taking. For an endoscopy, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the procedure.
There are different ways to test for an H. pylori infection. The most common tests use samples of your breath or stool. In certain cases, tests are done on a sample of tissue that's removed from inside your stomach.
There is no known risk to having breath or stool tests. During an endoscopy, you may feel some discomfort when the scope is inserted, but serious complications are rare.
Understanding results
Because there are many possible causes of digestive symptoms, providers often order tests for other digestive disorders along with an H. pylori test.
- Negative (normal) H. pylori test: A negative (normal) H. pylori test result means that you probably don't have an H. pylori infection. Limitation: Because there are many possible causes of digestive symptoms, providers often order tests for other digestive disorders along with an H. pylori test. Next step: Your provider may order more tests to find out the cause of your symptoms.
- Positive H. pylori test: A positive test result means that you have an H. pylori infection. Limitation: If H. pylori remains in your body, it can grow and cause symptoms again. Next step: Your provider will usually prescribe one or more antibiotics to treat the infection.
- Some medicines can affect results, so tell your provider about all medicines you take.
- Blood antibody tests can't tell a current infection from a past one, so they aren't commonly used for diagnosis.
What to do next
After you finish your treatment, your provider may order repeat tests to make sure all the H. pylori bacteria is gone.
- Which type of H. pylori test will I have?
- Do I need to stop any of my medicines before the test?
- Will I need a repeat test after treatment?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Tests