Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that enters your body and lives in your digestive tract. This bacteria can cause stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, which are sores that develop on the lining of the stomach. You can get ulcers in part of the intestine just beyond the stomach, which are called duodenal ulcers or peptic ulcers. In some cases it can lead to stomach cancer.

After H. pylori enters your body, it attacks the lining of your stomach, which usually protects you from the acid your body uses to digest food. Once the bacteria have done enough damage, acid can get through the lining, which leads to ulcers. These may bleed, cause infections, or keep food from moving through your digestive tract.

H. pylori bacteria are usually passed from person to person through direct contact with saliva, vomit or stool. H. pylori may also spread through contaminated food or water.

At-home self-test for the detection of H.pylori antigens in stool, as an indicator of gastritis or stomach ulcers.