Everyone who has GERD symptoms should be tested for H-Pylori. H-Pylori is a bacteria that grows in an acid stomach. I suffered for 10 years with GERD symptoms. Finally my doctor took a blood test for the bacteria. Sure enough my doctor calls with the results and says I had the highest H-Pylori count he had every seen. I was placed on antibiotics, Pepto pills and antiacid pills. (16 pills a day). But, once I completed the treatment to eradicate the H-Pylori bacteria........I felt 100% better. I was free of GERD symptoms for about 15 years. Unfortunately, you can be reinfected with the bacteria in the future. The bacteria is air-borne and thrives on acid. If someone has the bacteria in their stomach and they cough you may be reinfected. Approx. 50 million people have this bacteria in their stomach but have no problems because the have low acidity in their stomachs. I hope this was helpful, I know how difficult dealing with GERD symtoms can be. Good luck to all.View Thread