Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium (germ) that lives in the inner lining of the stomach. It produces a number of chemicals that damage the lining of the stomach. Once the infection is present, it persists for many years, if not for life.
About 40% of persons over 40 years of age are infected with this germ compared to less than 10% of children. Most people are infected in childhood and in Australia the risk of becoming infected is now much less than in the past. There is no difference in infection rate between men and women.
