The H. pylori breath test is one of the most commonly used methods to detect H. pylori infection and is easy to perform and highly accurate. hp(-)40 means that the test is negative for H. pylori infection.
A negative H. pylori breath test should first determine if there is a false negative. Recent use of antibiotics and acid-suppressing medications, eating before the test, and other factors may cause a false negative result on this breath test.
If a family member has a positive H. pylori breath test result, it is best to share meals or use communal chopsticks within the family to avoid cross-infection.
A negative breath test with upper abdominal pain should be followed up with gastroscopy.
H. pylori is the most important risk factor for gastric cancer, but it is not the only causative factor. Therefore, regular checkups should not be neglected because of negative H. pylori, and standardized endoscopy is currently the most effective method for early detection and treatment of gastric tumors.