Pneumonia, Staph Infections and H. pylori Stomach Ulcers in Ghana: Symptoms and Treatment

Pneumonia, staphylococcus (“staph”) infections and stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori are all bacterial and all treatable with the right medicine. They are also problems made worse by buying random antibiotics or herbal “cleansers”, which delay proper care and fuel drug resistance in Ghana.

Pneumonia

Signs

• Cough (sometimes with yellow, green or bloody sputum)
• Fever, chills, fast or difficult breathing, chest pain on breathing
• In children: fast breathing, chest drawing in, poor feeding, unusual sleepiness

Treatment

• A health worker examines the chest and may order an X-ray or blood test.
• Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics; severe cases need hospital oxygen and drips.
• Go to hospital urgently for breathing difficulty, bluish lips, confusion, or a sick baby or older adult.
• Prevent: pneumococcal and other routine childhood vaccines, no smoking, clean cooking fuel where possible, prompt care for flu and COVID-19.

A cough lasting more than 2 weeks should be tested for tuberculosis; TB testing and treatment are free at government facilities.

Staphylococcus infections

• Staphylococcus aureus lives harmlessly on many people’s skin. It causes infections when it gets into cuts: boils, abscesses, infected wounds, and occasionally serious blood, bone or lung infections.
• Small boils may drain with warm compresses. Don’t squeeze them.
• Larger abscesses need drainage by a clinician; antibiotics are prescribed when needed, ideally based on a swab test because some strains (MRSA) resist common antibiotics.
• Seek urgent care for spreading redness, fever, or boils that keep coming back (which can also signal diabetes).
• “Staph” in a urine or semen test result is often skin contamination, not an infection needing treatment. Ask your doctor to interpret it.

H. pylori and stomach ulcers

Signs

• Burning upper-stomach pain, often worse when hungry or at night
• Bloating, nausea, early fullness

Tests and treatment

• H. pylori is tested with a stool antigen or breath test (blood tests are less useful).
• Treatment is a 10–14 day combination of two antibiotics plus an acid-reducing medicine (a PPI such as omeprazole). Take it exactly as prescribed; a retest confirms clearance.
• Regular use of painkillers such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and aspirin is the other big cause of ulcers.
• Spicy food doesn’t cause ulcers, though it can worsen discomfort.

Danger signs: vomiting blood, black tarry stools, severe sudden stomach pain, weight loss or difficulty swallowing. Go to hospital immediately.

Frequently asked questions

Can I treat pneumonia at home?

Mild pneumonia in healthy adults may be treated at home with prescribed antibiotics and follow-up. Children, older people and anyone breathless need medical assessment.

Can herbal medicine cure H. pylori?

No herbal product reliably clears H. pylori. The proven cure is the prescribed antibiotic combination.

Why shouldn’t I just buy antibiotics?

The wrong drug or dose may not work, can hide serious illness, and breeds resistant bacteria that later make you and others harder to treat.

Related: urinary tract infections and hepatitis B and liver disease.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general health information and does not replace professional diagnosis or treatment. See a qualified health professional for infections and stomach pain.