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What is H pylori treatment?
H pylori treatment combines accurate testing with a short, effective course of medication to clear Helicobacter pylori, a common bacterial infection of the stomach lining that affects up to two in five people in the UK (Guts UK, 2026). H pylori can cause symptoms such as indigestion, bloating, and abdominal pain, and, if left untreated, may lead to stomach ulcers or increase the risk of stomach cancer over time. Testing can be carried out via a breath test, stool test, blood test, or biopsy taken during a gastroscopy, and treatment typically involves a short course of antibiotics combined with acid-suppressing medication to clear the infection.
Patients across Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, North Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland see Dr Kejariwal for H pylori testing and treatment when they have persistent indigestion symptoms, a family history of stomach conditions, or when initial treatment from their GP has not resolved the infection. With 18+ years of consultant experience, Dr Kejariwal ensures accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment selection, and confirmation that the infection has been successfully cleared.
H pylori treatment success rates in 2026
Current UK clinical guidance confirms that when the full course of eradication therapy is taken correctly, treatment clears the infection in over 90% of people. This makes accurate testing and correct treatment selection important, since incomplete courses or repeat treatment failures can occasionally lead to antibiotic resistance. Dr Kejariwal’s approach ensures the right test is used for your situation and that follow-up testing confirms the infection has genuinely cleared, rather than simply assuming success once symptoms improve.
Preparation
For breath or stool testing, you will usually need to stop any acid-suppressing medication (such as proton pump inhibitors) for around two weeks and antibiotics for four weeks beforehand, as these can affect test accuracy, with specific instructions confirmed with your appointment. If a gastroscopy with biopsy is required instead, you will need to fast for six hours from food and two hours from clear fluids beforehand.
What happens on the day
01
Arrival & consultation
You will discuss your symptoms and treatment history with Dr Kejariwal, who will determine the most appropriate testing method for your situation.
02
Testing
Depending on your circumstances, this may involve a simple breath or stool test, or, where clinically indicated, biopsies taken during a gastroscopy for direct examination and testing.
03
Treatment
If H pylori is confirmed, Dr Kejariwal prescribes an appropriate eradication treatment, usually a short course of antibiotics combined with acid-suppressing medication.
04
Confirmation of clearance
A follow-up test is arranged after treatment to confirm the infection has been successfully cleared, with results and a written summary sent to you and your GP.
Risks and safety
Breath and stool testing carry no procedural risk. Where gastroscopy is used for testing, this is a safe, low-risk procedure with only a small chance of mild discomfort or sore throat. Eradication treatment is generally well tolerated, though antibiotics can occasionally cause mild digestive side effects, which Dr Kejariwal will discuss with you before starting treatment.
Your results
Test results are typically available within a few days to a week, and Dr Kejariwal will explain what a positive result means and outline your treatment plan clearly. A follow-up test after treatment confirms whether the infection has cleared, with a written report sent to you and your GP throughout the process.
Frequently asked questions about H pylori treatment
How is H pylori treated?
H pylori is treated with a short course of antibiotics combined with acid-suppressing medication, known as eradication therapy, which clears the infection in over 90% of people when taken correctly.
What are the symptoms of H pylori infection?
Common symptoms include indigestion, bloating, abdominal pain, and nausea, though many people with H pylori have no symptoms at all.
How is H pylori tested?
Testing can be done via a breath test, stool test, blood test, or biopsy taken during a gastroscopy, depending on your symptoms and circumstances.
Do I need to stop medication before testing?
Yes, acid-suppressing medication and antibiotics can affect test accuracy, so you will usually need to stop these for a period before breath or stool testing.
How do I know if the treatment has worked?
A follow-up breath or stool test is usually arranged after treatment to confirm that the H pylori infection has been successfully cleared.
Usually seen within 1-2 weeks
Referral routes: GP, self-referral or insurer. Bupa recognised, fee assured.
About Dr Deepak Kejariwal
Consultant Gastroenterologist & General Physician, FRCP, with 18+ years of consultant experience in gastroenterology and endoscopy. Serving Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, North Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland.