VRE is usually spread by direct contact with hands, environmental surfaces or medical equipment that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected person. When providing care in a private home, hospital or nursing home, health care workers should use disposable gloves and wash their hands with soap after caring for a person with VRE.
A disposable gown should also be used if the type of care involves washing or turning the patient, or changing diapers. Routine cleaning of bed rails, toilets and commodes with a bleach solution or hospital-grade disinfectant is also important. In the hospital setting, equipment such as rectal thermometers and blood pressure cuffs should be assigned solely to the infected patient. Standard precautions including hand washing and gloving should be followed.
Otherwise, healthy household members are not at risk of VRE infection. Sometimes the infection will go away, but the bacteria will remain without causing infection. This is called colonization. As more antibiotic-resistant bacteria develop and more cases of VRE infections are documented, hospitals and other health care facilities are taking extra care to practice infection control, which includes frequent handwashing and isolation of patients infected with VRE.
Even though most healthy people are not at risk for becoming infected or colonized with VRE, you can take steps to prevent getting a VRE infection. Current as of: September 23, Russo MD - Internal Medicine. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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Overview What are vancomycin-resistant enterococci VRE? How are VRE infections spread? What are the symptoms? How are VRE infections diagnosed? Those bacteria that used to succumb to vancomycin have evolved to be able to tolerate it. Included is one form of enterococcal infection, now widely known as VRE. While it is not always lethal, it can cause serious illness or death, particularly in older, sicker people with weakened immune systems. Medically ill patients are at increased risk of developing and dying from a VRE infection.
This includes:. Prevention of VRE, like all other hospital-acquired infections, is key. Whether you are a patient, a caregiver or a patient advocate, follow the steps to prevent a hospital-acquired infection. These include:. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. They should wash their hands with soap and water before working with each new patient. They should also wear disposable gloves.
You can also prevent VRE by practicing good hygiene if someone in your home is infected. Follow these tips:. If you have a catheter, get it removed as soon as you no longer need it. The longer it stays in your body, the greater your risk of infection becomes. If you do have VRE, you can help prevent transmission to others by letting your doctor know. Hospitals can use special precautions to help prevent the infection from spreading to other patients. Your outlook depends on what type of infection you have and your health in general.
However, other antibiotics can treat the infection. Find an overview of enterococcus faecalis, a type of bacterial infection, and learn about its causes and symptoms.
Neutropenic precautions are steps you can take to avoid infection during this time. Learn about potential causes of vaginal itch during your period, such as irritation, yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis.
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