Dear Venitaa,

We extend our sincere gratitude for choosing Gleneagles Hospital Malaysia for your healthcare requirements.

We understand that you have recently tested positive for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) through a blood test, and you are seeking clarification on whether further testing is necessary before starting antibiotic treatment.

Please be informed that while a blood test can detect antibodies to H. pylori, it does not differentiate between a current or past infection. For this reason, current clinical guidelines often recommend a more specific confirmatory test — such as the Urea Breath Test (UBT)  — to accurately determine active infection before initiating treatment.

Therefore, we would advise that you undergo a Urea Breath Test to confirm an active H. pylori infection. This test is non-invasive and reliable. Based on the results, our medical team can then recommend an appropriate course of treatment, which typically involves a combination of antibiotics and acid-suppressing medications.

If you would like to schedule the Urea Breath Test or consult one of our gastroenterologists, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.

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