VRE: symptoms, causes and treatment

VRE: symptoms, causes and treatment

VRE stands for vancomycin-resistant enterococcus. It is an infection caused by bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotic called vancomycin.

O enterococcus is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the intestine and in the female genital tract. Generally, they will not let us doente. However, sometimes, it can cause infections not:

  • blood stream
  • urinary treatment
  • brain
  • heart valves

O VRE can also cause infections in open wounds.

Vancomycin is an antibiotic that doctors sometimes use to treat enterococcal infections. Strains of enterococci that have become resistant to vancomycin are called VRE. Resistance means that vancomycin can no longer kill these bacteria.

VRE infections generally affect people who are already doctors and not hospitalized. These infections can be difficult to treat, because doctors have fewer effective options against resistant bacteria. Some VRE infections can be fatal.

People who carry VRE without bowel and genital treatment generally do not present symptoms. If a doctor is called with VRE, we may have the following symptoms:

  • fever
  • general feeling of being unwell
  • fast heart rate
  • vermelhidão, inchaço ou dor no corpo
  • sheepskin

Most VRE infections occur in people who are not hospitalized. Infected people usually present with severe illness or a weakened immune system.

It is more likely that you are infected by VRE if:

  • foram treated for a long period with vancomycin or other antibiotics, such as penicillin or gentamicin
  • have a serious condition, such as kidney disease or a blood disorder
  • I spent some time in the hospital, especially if I received antibiotics as soon as I was
  • I have a weakened immune system
  • fez surgery, like no abdomen or no peito
  • Have a medical device that needs to be in place for a long time, such as a urinary catheter
  • I am 60 years old or older, especially if I am living in an elderly home or in a long-term assistance center

Most of the VRE infections are transmitted in hospitals. Bacteria are usually spread when a doctor or other health professional touches an infected person, surface, or medical equipment, and then does not wash properly before touching another patient.

The VRE does not spread, like the flu and other bacterial infections.

Or a doctor collects a sample of blood, urine, pus, or other fluid from the infected area. A sample is sent to a laboratory to be tested as soon as VRE.

O VRE nem always needs to be treated. You have enterococci not corpo, but they are not causing an active infection, they do not require treatment.

Active VRE infections are treated with an antibiotic that is not vancomycin. Your doctor can collect a culture of bacteria and test it in the laboratory to see which antibiotic can work best.

Researchers are working to develop new types of antibiotics that treat VRE.

Health professionals can prevent or VRE, keeping all surfaces and medical equipment sanitized. They must wash their hands with water and sabão before working with each new patient. They also have to use discarded glasses. If your doctor or nurse does not wash your hair or use it, ask what hygiene measures are taken to protect your health.

You can also prevent VRE by practicing good hygiene from staying in your home if you are infected. Follow these directions:

  • Wash more frequently with water and soap or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after using a bath and before handling food. Also wash your hands every time you come into contact with an infected person.
  • Disinfect surfaces such as benches and floors that may have been contaminated such as VRE.
  • Wash louça and utensils in hot water and sabão. Place bedding and towels in a hot washing machine.
  • If you need to contact open wounds or body fluids, always use gloves.

If you have a catheter, remove it as well that you do not need more than that. The longer you stay in your body, the greater the risk of infection.

If you have VRE, you can help prevent transmission to other people, informing your doctor. Hospitals may use special precautions to help prevent the infection from spreading to other patients.

Your outlook depends on the type of infection you have and your overall health. Or VRE can be a bit difficult to treat because it is resistant to vancomycin. No, other antibiotics can treat the infection.

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