Hand-washing is the best way to avoid spreading germs. You can use soap and clean, running water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage. Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages. Don't share personal items like towels or razors.
Be smart about antibiotics. Know that antibiotics can help when an infection is caused by bacteria. But they can't cure infections caused by a virus. Always ask your doctor if antibiotics are the best treatment. Always take all your antibiotic medicine as prescribed. Using only part of the medicine may cause antibiotic-resistant bacteria to develop.
Don't save any antibiotics. And don't use ones that were prescribed for someone else. If you are in the hospital, remind doctors and nurses to wash their hands before they touch you. If you have a pseudomonas infection, you can keep from spreading the bacteria. Cover your wound with clean, dry bandages. Follow your doctor's instructions on caring for your wound.
Keep your hands clean. You, your family, and other people with whom you are in close contact should wash their hands often, especially after changing a bandage or touching a wound.
Don't share towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or other items that may have had contact with your wound or a bandage. The warmer and wetter it is, the better the conditions are for the bacteria to multiply. People who are in the hospital for surgery or treatment for a major illness are most vulnerable to this kind of infection. An incision from a surgical procedure or an open wound can increase the risk of infection.
The bacteria can also invade pressure wounds, or bed sores. People with weakened immune systems are also prone to more severe Pseudomonas infections. Milder Pseudomonas infections can occur in otherwise healthy people.
These include ear infections and skin rashes, especially after exposure to water. In addition to people who are staying in a hospital, have a weakened immune system, or both, there are specific groups who are more vulnerable to Pseudomonas infections. The areas of the body that the infections are most likely to affect are the ears, skin, lungs, soft tissue, and blood. Common symptoms of the infections include :.
To help diagnose a Pseudomonas infection, a doctor may ask about any recent activities that might be relevant, such as swimming or using a hot tub. They will also carry out a physical examination. As there are different types of Pseudomonas bacteria, laboratory tests may also be necessary to determine the best course of treatment.
Antibiotics are the best option to treat Pseudomonas or other bacterial infections. Some Pseudomonas infections require an aggressive approach with powerful drugs. The earlier the treatment begins, the more effective it is in stopping the infection.
This is particularly true in the hospital environment. The bacteria in hospitals get regular exposure to antibiotics, and, over time, develop resistance to these drugs. Of the many different types of Pseudomonas , the one that most often causes infections in humans is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa , which can cause infections in the blood, lungs pneumonia , or other parts of the body after surgery.
These bacteria are constantly finding new ways to avoid the effects of the antibiotics used to treat the infections they cause.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when the germs no longer respond to the antibiotics designed to kill them. If they develop resistance to several types of antibiotics, these germs can become multidrug-resistant. In , multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused an estimated 32, infections among hospitalized patients and 2, estimated deaths in the United States [ Source: AR Threats Report ].
Pseudomonas aeruginosa lives in the environment and can be spread to people in healthcare settings when they are exposed to water or soil that is contaminated with these germs. Resistant strains of the germ can also spread in healthcare settings from one person to another through contaminated hands, equipment, or surfaces.
Healthcare providers should pay careful attention to recommended infection control practices, including hand hygiene and environmental cleaning e. Healthcare facilities should have water management plans see Reduce Risk from Water that help ensure water quality and reduce the risk of exposure to potentially harmful germs like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are generally treated with antibiotics. 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. Those who are immunocompromised — meaning those with weakened immune systems — are very vulnerable to P. 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.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Healthcare Settings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 13, Pseudomonas Infection. University of Michigan Medicine. January 26, Pseudomonas Infections. Merck Manual. February
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