Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (patient information): Difference between revisions

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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Vancomycin-resistant enterococci|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Vancomycin-resistant enterococci|here]]'''


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==Overview==
==Overview==
[[Enterococcus]] is a germ (bacterium). It normally lives in the intestines and in the female genital tract.
Most of the time, it does not cause problems. But enterococcus can cause an infection if it gets into the urinary tract, bloodstream, or skin wounds.
[[Vancomycin]] is the antibiotic that is often used to treat these infections. [[Antibiotic]]s are medicines that are used to kill some germs called bacteria.
Enterococcus germs that vancomycin does not kill are called vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). VRE can be hard to treat because there are fewer antibiotics that can fight the bacteria. Most VRE infections occur in hospitals.


==What are the symptoms of Vancomycin-resistant enterococci?==
==What are the symptoms of Vancomycin-resistant enterococci?==
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==Who is at highest risk?==
==Who is at highest risk?==
VRE infections are more common in patients who:
*Are in the hospital, especially if they are taking antibiotics for a long time
*Are older or who have long-term illnesses and weak immune systems
*Have been treated before with vancomycin or other antibiotics for a long time
*Have been in intensive care units or cancer or transplant units
*Have had major surgery
*Have catheters to drain urine or intravenous (IV) catheters that stay in for a long time


==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
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==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
Often, other antibiotics besides [[vancomycin]] can be used to treat most VRE infections. Lab tests will tell which antibiotics will kill the germ.
Patients with the enterococcus germ who do not have symptoms of an infection do not need treatment


==Where to find medical care for Vancomycin-resistant enterococci?==
==Where to find medical care for Vancomycin-resistant enterococci?==
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==Prevention==
==Prevention==
VRE can get onto hands by touching a person who has VRE or by touching a surface that has VRE on it. The bacteria then spread from one person to another by touch.
The best way to prevent the spread of VRE is for everyone to keep their hands clean.
*Hospital staff and health care providers must wash with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after caring for every patient.
*Patients should wash their hands if they move around the room.
*Visitors also need to take steps to prevent spreading germs.
Urinary catheters or IV tubing are changed on a regular basis to minimize the risk of VRE infections.
Patients infected with VRE may be placed in a single room.This prevents the spread of germs among hospital staff, the patient, and visitors. Staff and health care providers may need to:
*Use proper garments, such as a gown and gloves when entering the patient’s room
*Wear a mask when there is a chance of splashing of bodily fluids


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
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[[Category:Disease]]
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[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
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Latest revision as of 19:06, 18 September 2017

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Vancomycin-resistant enterococci?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Videos on Vancomycin-resistant enterococci

on Vancomycin-resistant enterococci

CDC on Vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the news

on Vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Directions to Hospitals Treating Vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Risk calculators and risk factors for Vancomycin-resistant enterococci

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Please help WikiDoc by adding more content here. It's easy! Click here to learn about editing.

Overview

Enterococcus is a germ (bacterium). It normally lives in the intestines and in the female genital tract.

Most of the time, it does not cause problems. But enterococcus can cause an infection if it gets into the urinary tract, bloodstream, or skin wounds.

Vancomycin is the antibiotic that is often used to treat these infections. Antibiotics are medicines that are used to kill some germs called bacteria.

Enterococcus germs that vancomycin does not kill are called vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). VRE can be hard to treat because there are fewer antibiotics that can fight the bacteria. Most VRE infections occur in hospitals.

What are the symptoms of Vancomycin-resistant enterococci?

What causes Vancomycin-resistant enterococci?

Who is at highest risk?

VRE infections are more common in patients who:

  • Are in the hospital, especially if they are taking antibiotics for a long time
  • Are older or who have long-term illnesses and weak immune systems
  • Have been treated before with vancomycin or other antibiotics for a long time
  • Have been in intensive care units or cancer or transplant units
  • Have had major surgery
  • Have catheters to drain urine or intravenous (IV) catheters that stay in for a long time

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Often, other antibiotics besides vancomycin can be used to treat most VRE infections. Lab tests will tell which antibiotics will kill the germ.

Patients with the enterococcus germ who do not have symptoms of an infection do not need treatment

Where to find medical care for Vancomycin-resistant enterococci?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Condition

Prevention

VRE can get onto hands by touching a person who has VRE or by touching a surface that has VRE on it. The bacteria then spread from one person to another by touch.

The best way to prevent the spread of VRE is for everyone to keep their hands clean.

  • Hospital staff and health care providers must wash with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after caring for every patient.
  • Patients should wash their hands if they move around the room.
  • Visitors also need to take steps to prevent spreading germs.

Urinary catheters or IV tubing are changed on a regular basis to minimize the risk of VRE infections.

Patients infected with VRE may be placed in a single room.This prevents the spread of germs among hospital staff, the patient, and visitors. Staff and health care providers may need to:

  • Use proper garments, such as a gown and gloves when entering the patient’s room
  • Wear a mask when there is a chance of splashing of bodily fluids

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Sources

Template:WH Template:WS