Pseudomonas is a group of bacteria that can cause various types of infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common disease-causing form of this bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762969424140-c235-482f-bbc0-afa576edc894 Serious infections from P. aeruginosa primarily occur in healthcare settings, but people can also develop infections from hot tubs and swimming pools.
Signs and Symptoms of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Symptoms Symptoms of P. aeruginosa vary based on the type of infection. It may cause: Infection of the lungs (pneumonia) Fever and chills Difficulty breathing Chest pain Tiredness Cough, sometimes with yellow, green, or bloody mucus Urinary tract infections can cause: Strong urge to urinate frequently Painful urination Unpleasant odor in urine Cloudy or bloody urine Pain in the pelvic area Wound infections can cause: Inflamed wound site Fluid leakage from wound Ear infections (like swimmer’s ear) can cause: Ear pain Decreased hearing Redness or swelling of outer ear Fever
Causes and Risk Factors of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Causes In healthcare settings, P. aeruginosa is spread through improper hygiene, such as from the unclean hands of healthcare workers, or via contaminated medical equipment that wasn’t fully sterilized. Common hospital-associated P. aeruginosa infections include bloodstream infections, pneumonia , urinary tract infections , and surgical wound infections. These infections typically affect people who are ill in the hospital, particularly those with weakened immune systems from diseases or long-term treatments. When hospitalized, you have a higher risk for a serious, life-threatening P. aeruginosa infection if you have surgical wounds or burns, or are being treated with a breathing machine, such as a mechanical ventilator, or other medical devices, such as urinary or intravenous catheters. Exposure to contaminated water can also cause mild P. aeruginosa infections in healthy people. For instance, inadequately disinfected hot tubs and swimming pools can cause P. aeruginosa ear infections and skin rashes . They can also cause eye infections in users of contact lenses.
How Is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Diagnosed? Diagnosis To diagnose P. aeruginosa , your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Then they’ll send a sample of your blood or other bodily fluid to a lab to test for the bacteria. A test may also be done to determine which antibiotics will be most effective, according to the Merck Manual .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f7f64b8f-1ae5-47f4-a968-0c5eeea213c7 Prognosis of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Prognosis often depends on what type of infection a person has, and how early they’re treated with antibiotics. The mortality rates for P. aeruginosa infections are estimated to range from 18 to 61 percent; more ill patients, such as those with bloodstream infections or cancers of the blood, are at higher risk of dying, per past research.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293450245f-5e25-43ca-9dc4-f974321b82d8 Delays in treatment are associated with marked increases in mortality, according to a 2018 article in Drugs in Context .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629414782d2-1a6e-415a-8153-8fb747135cc6
Duration of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Duration Antibiotics are usually administered for between 7 and 14 days, and sometimes longer, depending on the type and severity of the infection .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292cce9df7-c9fc-4091-8ed3-4836f915c06a
Treatment and Medication Options for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Treatment Mild, water-related P. aeruginosa infections are generally treated easily with certain antibiotics. Treating severe hospital-associated P. aeruginosa infections is becoming more difficult, however, because some bacterial strains show resistance to nearly all classes of powerful antibiotics. Treating these drug-resistant infections requires sending samples to a laboratory to test the bacteria against different antibiotics in hope of finding drugs that are effective against it.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294449a5ca-453f-4402-abbf-78f11e5a5a47 Before the lab confirms which particular drugs will work, a person may be given a combination of several antibiotics. Prevention of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa To prevent P. aeruginosa , there are several steps you can take. Wash your hands often. This is the best way to prevent the spread of germs. Use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds; or, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Keep wounds clean. If you get a cut or scrape, be sure to clean it and cover it with a bandage. Avoid sharing personal items. Don’t let others use personal items like razors or towels. Use antibiotics only as needed. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take the meds as prescribed. Remind others to wash their hands. If you’re in the hospital, ask visitors, doctors, and nurses to wash their hands before touching you. Keep surfaces clean. Disinfect all of the surfaces you touch such as your cell phone, door knobs, and light switches. Swim safely. if going into a hot tub or pool, make sure it is properly chlorinated and maintained.
Complications of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Complications If a wound leads to a pseudomonas infection and goes untreated, it could result in infection in the bones. Pseudomonal infections that enter the bloodstream can also lead to respiratory failure, shock, and death.
Research and Statistics: Who Has Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Research and Statistics Being in a healthcare setting puts you at the highest risk of P. aeruginosa . In 2017, P. aeruginosa caused approximately 32,600 infections among patients in hospitals and 2,700 deaths in the United States, according to the CDC.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298ec15143-1f09-4d21-b133-2495798a67be Patients who are on breathing machines, catheters, and those with wounds are at especially high risk. Pseudomonas is one of the main causes of pneumonia for people on mechanical ventilators, notes the University of Michigan.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294b099791-859c-465f-abb0-546c8c32f173 Related: 5 Steps to Help Prevent Sepsis if You Have an Infection
Related Conditions and Causes of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Related Conditions People with cystic fibrosis are highly susceptible to pseudomonal lung infections. In fact, approximately half of all people with cystic fibrosis are infected chronically with the bacteria, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298a0a86c5-3d02-4106-8f07-fb8081bdfb1b Those who are immunocompromised — meaning those with weakened immune systems — are very vulnerable to P. aeruginosa . This includes people with HIV, cancer, and transplant patients, people taking drugs that suppress the immune system, and those with a disease that affects the immune system.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762989feeed2-4418-4c1e-9b6b-262c7d3e5168
Q & A’s
The Takeaway Infections from pseudomonas aeruginosa can lead to various health issues, ranging from mild skin rashes to severe hospital-acquired infections. Proper hygiene and caution in shared environments such as hot tubs and swimming pools will help reduce your risk. Be sure to wash your hands frequently and keep wounds clean to prevent bacterial infections.
Resources We Trust Mayo Clinic: Science Saturday: Mayo Clinic Scientists Cracking the Genetic Code of Disease-Causing Bacterial Species to Improve Patient OutcomesCleveland Clinic: Pseudomonas Aeruginosa InfectionCenters for Disease Control and Prevention: Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Healthcare SettingsWorld Health Organization: Antimicrobial ResistanceAntibiotics: Evidence-Based Treatment of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infections: A Critical Reappraisal
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