Stomach acid does provide a barrier against many bacteria and viruses.
However, any bacteria or virus which causes GI illness must have some
degree of innate resistance to acids. The time it takes for a
bacteria or virus to get from the stomach to the intestine is a
factor, as well as the presence of food in the stomach. With regard
to E. coli, if the bacteria is in a large piece of food, it might make
it through the stomach with no problem, and this is often the case
with contaminated hamburger. Certainly antiacids probably compromise
this barrier, but I am not familiar with any studies relating
increased susceptibility to food poisoning with the use of these meds.
Jay Mone'
