Features
Around half the population is infected by the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) which causes gastritis and ulcers. Untreated and long-term infection with H pylori causes damage to the mucous membrane of the stomach and those infected with this bacterium have an increased risk of stomach ulcers and developing stomach cancer. Nevertheless, in most cases, the infection can be successfully treated with a combination of antibiotics and antacids.