Pylori questions - prevpack - pregnancy - reinfection

[sam22579]

After a several rounds of natural protocols I still tested positive for pylori through different stool tests (Metametrix). My symptoms did get better but returned after ending the supplements. I am about to start with the prevpack treatment to get rid of it once and for all!

As I have been tested positive my girlfriend is most likely infected as well. She's pregnant at the moment and won't start the prevpack anytime soon.

I have the following questions:

- Is the timing of the prevpack treatment optimal for me as my girlfriend won't be able to do the treatment as well?
- Is there anything that can be done after the treatment to avoid being reinfected by my girlfriend? Maybe constant use of specific anti-pylori supplements?
- Is there anything my girlfriend can do to block the infection of our baby during labour?
- If there are some natural products like brocolli sprouts that suppress pylori will this minimize the chance of infecting our baby during labour if my girlfriend add them to her diet?
- If our baby is infected with pylori should this always be a reason for concern?

Thanks a lot!

Sam

[Helico_expert]

First of all, congratulation that you are becoming a father.

1. H. pylori dont spread easily among adults. Mainly because adults are more aware of hygiene. Meaning, adults rarely share food and drinks, does wash hands after toilet, remember to brush teeth early in the morning, and etc etc. However, infecting your partner is not impossible. As long as you are careful, the chance of transmission will be low to zero.

2. it is better for your girlfriend to wait till the baby is born and settled (probably months or years). We dont even know if your girlfriend is infected with H. pylori. If she has no symptoms, there is no need to worry about. She can do a breath test after given birth to see if she is positive for H. pylori.

3. Although many studies have now shown that H. pylori is "vertically transferred" from mother to child, it actually not through labour. It's more to do with oral-oral transmission. I wouldnt say all, but almost all baby is free from H. pylori until age of 2 years old. So far, I have not seen a publish record reporting a new born being H. pylori positive. Besides, it may not be a bad thing that your baby is infected. Studies have shown that children carrying H. pylori is less likely to get asthma and allergies.

4. As you may know, no natural products kill H. pylori in vivo. So, there is no known product stopping H. pylori from spreading. But I dont think there is a need to worry.

5. As for you, go take the prevpack. Finish the course. Get the follow up breath test done to confirm the H. pylori eradication. Watch your hygiene. and enjoy being a father.

[sam22579]

Thank you for taking the time to answer!

I do have some follow up questions...

# 1 makes sense and I will try to be extra careful...in # 3 you are talking about the risk of oral-oral infection which obviously is more direct and a higher risk than the circumstances explained in # 1. Kissing my girlfriend is something that's hard to avoid...How do you see this in my situation? I have obviously have a concern for being reinfected because I'd rather do one proper timed course to minimize my use of antibiotics.

If I am exposed again to H pylori after a treatment does this necessarily mean that I will be infected again or doesn't this always happen? I guess the state of my immune system and gut health have a role in this as well but I am not sure...

What do you think of a blood anti gen test? Is this a valid way to test if my girlfriend is infected? You mentioned testing her after giving birth ... could we also do it now or didn't you mean to be so specific? She has no symptoms btw.

[Helico_expert]

blood test is a great idea. Should have mentioned that to you. Your wife can do a blood test to find out if she is infected.

is kissing a path of transmission? nobody knows. The thing is, hardly anyone is able to culture viable H. pylori from mouth. Some scientist manage to detect H. pylori DNA in the mouth, but only a handful of people has success in growing H. pylori from mouth. So, i think as long as you and your wife maintain good mouth hygiene, like brushing teeth and mouth wash, the chance of transmission through kissing will be very low.

If you are exposed to H. pylori, you'll be infected. However, true re-infection is rare.

if I missed any question, please ask again.

[sam22579]

Thanks again I appreciate it a lot! I will get things moving asap... and the blood test for my GF is on the way.

One more thing that has been on my mind are the following drug resistant genes that were found in my stool tests:

Gentamycin, Kanamycin, Tobramycin and b-Lactamase

Would this be a contraindication for using the standard prevpac or am I good to go?

[Helico_expert]

The only accurate way of finding out if the H. pylori is resistant to antibiotics is via bacterial culture.

All the gene testing methods (in regards to H. pylori) are not sensitive enough at the moment.