There are not a lot of people who know what exactly VRE is. Before getting to know that, people should know that enterococci are a group of gram-negative bacteria that are shaped like a rod. These bacteria are known to be located in the gut. However, people should know that these bacteria can cause an infection in all the other parts of the body as well.
In the past these bacteria were immune to antibiotics but the doctors have discovered a certain drug called vancomycin that treats the infections caused by these bacteria with a lot of success. However, there are some enerococci that are even resistant to this drug as well.
A person experiences vancomycin resistance in situations when a sensitive enterococcu acquires a special piece of DNA known as plasmid. That new strain that has been acquired is known as vancomycin-resistant enterococci or VRE. People need to know that VRE can be spread from one person to another. VRE are especially troublesome in hospitals and chronic-care facilities.
The causes of VRE infection
People should be aware that VRE can be located in a person body without causing an infection. If that is the case, the person is said to be colonized with VRE. In almost all cases of colonization, VRE is located in the bowel. It is good if the number of bacteria does not increase.However, if it does, the bacteria can invade the bloodstream or they can spread locally and in those situations a person can end up suffering from an abnormal abscess or urinary infection.
Meningitis, pneumonia and infection of the heart valve are all possible if VRE enters the bloodstream. If VRE is introduced to the wound directly, it will cause the wound to infect.
Prevention
People should know that the best way to prevent an infection is to prevent transmission. This means that hospitals and care facilities must pay attention to the infection-control guidelines in order to maximally reduce the spread of VRE.
Proper hygiene and regular washing of the hands is the best way a person can prevent getting infected with VRE. Intravenous catheters should be used as less as possible in order for the risk of VRE sepsis to be reduced. Whenever people use antibiotics, they must follow the instruction on the label or given to them by the doctor. People should also be aware that antibiotics will not help them if the suffer from viruses of the common cold.
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