How to Test for H Pylori

October 31, 2025

Norman Nickel

What is H Pylori?

H. Pylori (also known as Helicobacter pylori, helico pylori, or bacteria pylori helicobacters) is a type of bacteria that attacks the lining of your stomach and the first part of your intestines, known as the duodenum. This is the most common bacterial infection affecting humans worldwide. It is estimated that 50% of the world population has this infection, mostly children.

Most people who are infected with H Pylori often do not know they are infected. Those who do may experience symptoms that include:

Unexplained weight loss
Bloating
Nausea and vomiting (bloody vomit)
Indigestion
Burping
Loss of appetite
Feeling full after eating a small amount of food

Undiagnosed and untreated H Pylori infected individuals may experience gastritis, ulcers, and even cancer. Getting tested can aid in diagnosing H Pylori ad help someone from unknowingly spreading the bacteria to others.

Is H Pylori Contagious?

H Pylori infection is transmitted person-to-person through saliva or close contact with the infected person, their stool, or their vomit. This disease can survive outside of a host in specific unsanitary conditions. So, surfaces touched by an infected individual could spread H Pylori to unsuspecting individuals who encounter that same surface. H Pylori thrives in crowded living conditions. Retirement homes or college dormitories are breeding grounds for H Pylori. Since H Pylori can be transmitted through saliva, kissing and oral sex are also in play for transmission of this disease. Note that while some types of sexual contact can spread H Pylori, it is not considered an STD (sexually transmitted disease).

There are no particular foods to avoid with H Pylori bacteria. Any contaminated food and water can spread the disease. H Pylori does travel, though not far. Household transmission of H Pylori is highly likely if one member becomes actively infected. It is important to test the entire household if one or more individuals are diagnosed with H Pylori.

What are the H Pylori Testing Guidelines?

The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) has recently updated its guidelines for H Pylori testing. Due to how easily H Pylori bacteria can spread in close quarters, any adult member of a household where someone has tested positive for H Pylori should test themselves. This also applies to people who live or work in places with large numbers of people in close proximity, such as correctional facilities, hospitals, or retirement homes.

How do you test for H Pylori, and what is the Most Accurate Type of Test?

There are four tests available that can test for H Pylori. Each test comes with its costs and benefits. The four tests are:

Breath Test
Stool (Feces)
Blood Test
Endoscopy & Biopsy

The H Pylori Breath test is the most popular medical test on the market for H Pylori, as it is inexpensive and very noninvasive. The breath test measures the amount of carbon dioxide in your breath. The individual has to drink a special solution containing urea, which is broken down by H Pylori and creates carbon dioxide in that process. Excess carbon dioxide would indicate an H Pylori infection.

The H pylori stool test detects antigens related to H Pylori in your feces. Antigens are markers that allow your immune system to identify foreign germs. Having H Pylori in your stool could indicate an active infection.

The H Pylori blood tests and Endoscopy (EGD) & biopsy are all considered invasive. The blood test will look for the antibodies for H Pylori. This isn’t helpful in discovering your active H Pylori status. The Endoscopy is the most invasive. This test requires a physician’s camera to look inside your body and take a sample of tissue for biopsy.

So, which is the most accurate? Endoscopy & biopsy are the most accurate tests for H Pylori. However, the Breath test is the most accurate H Pylori test that is the least invasive to discover an active infection.

When to retest for H Pylori after treatment?

An important guideline for the follow-up to H Pylori treatment is to retest to ensure the infection has been eradicated. It is recommended to wait at least 4 weeks after completing treatment to retest. The Urea Breath test is the most effective method for retesting since the results are not affected by antibodies that may still be present in the body from prior infection. Even after successful treatment, it is possible to contract H Pylori again. People at a higher risk should consider regular testing, especially if an outbreak occurs in close proximity.

Where can I get an H Pylori Test near me?

Request A Test provides a quick, hassle-free way to order your own H Pylori Breath or H Pylori Stool Test. There's no need to schedule a doctor's appointment. Just order the test online or by phone and go to a lab near you. We make it easy and affordable to screen for H Pylori Infection or do follow-up testing to ensure your treatment was successful.

Why Request A Test?

Affordable pricing
Over 7,000 convenient nationwide locations
Same-day testing and rapid results
No doctor's order needed, we provide one
No insurance is required

With Request A Test, you are empowered to take charge of your health. In addition to the H Pylori, we offer a full selection of Gastrointestinal (GI) testing. Place an order online or contact us at 888-732-2348 today to get started.

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