Is there a way to prevent an infection with h. pylori?
Since research has not found out yet how h. pylori bacteria actually spread it is almost impossible to prevent an infection. However, as mentioned above, it depends on the person if a stomach ulcer actually develops. It is often stated that stomach ulcers are stress related. It is certainly true that the cause of stomach ulcers is either h. pylori or NSAIDs, but the fact that an infected person develops h. pylori might be related to a low immune system, which can be in fact stress related. Therefore one could maybe see an indirect connection between stomach ulcers and stress, or also poor nutrition. However, this has never been proven. Nevertheless, stress and poor nutrition definitely aggravate peptic ulcers. The best advice to avoid an infection is still to always wash your hands before a meal and after using the bathroom. Also try to not eat and drink from the same dishes as other people. Research is currently working on the development of a vaccine to prevent the infection with h.
