Should high levels of Helicobacter pylori antibodies be treated

High levels of helicobacter pylori antibodies usually require a combination of clinical symptoms and further examination to determine treatment. A high antibody level may indicate a previous or current infection, and active infection should be diagnosed through carbon-13/14 breath test or gastroscopy examination. The detection of Helicobacter pylori antibodies reflects the immune memory of the immune system towards the bacterium, and positive results may be caused by three factors. Firstly, if the antibodies have not completely subsided after a previous infection and there are no current symptoms such as stomach pain or bloating, and the breath test is negative, treatment may not be given temporarily. The second is that the current infection is accompanied by active gastritis or ulcers. These patients usually have symptoms such as upper abdominal pain and acid reflux, and a positive breath test. It is recommended to use quadruple therapy for eradication treatment. The third is false positive results, which may be related to cross reactivity of the detection reagent and need to be comprehensively judged in conjunction with other tests. For asymptomatic patients with high antibody levels, if there is a family history of gastric cancer, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or precancerous lesions such as atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia detected by gastroscopy, eradication therapy is still recommended to reduce the risk of gastric cancer. For children who are antibody positive but asymptomatic, immediate treatment is generally not recommended unless there is peptic ulcer or severe anemia present. The treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection should strictly follow medical advice, and commonly used regimens include a 14 day combination therapy of proton pump inhibitors, two antibiotics, and bismuth agents. During treatment, alcohol consumption should be avoided, and the serving of individual dishes system should be paid attention to to prevent transmission within the family. After completing the treatment, it is necessary to have a follow-up check every 4 weeks to confirm the eradication effect. In daily life, maintaining gastrointestinal health can be achieved through regular diet and reducing the intake of pickled foods.