About this topic
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci is also called VRE. Enterococci are a kind of germ. ‚
These germs can cause an infection in some people that is hard to cure. Vancomycin is a drug that used to work to fight this infection. Now, some of the enterococci germs are not killed by this drug. This is called resistance and is why this infection is called vancomycin-resistant enterococci or VRE. ‚
This germ is commonly found in the intestines and in the female sex organs. It is also found on surfaces where we live, especially bathrooms. Some people have VRE inside their bodies but do not ever get an infection. ‚
VRE are often found in hospitals and nursing homes. The germs can spread from person to person. You can get this infection by touching someone who has it or who has touched someone with the infection. You may also get it by touching a surface or medical supplies with VRE on it. You can also get VRE from touching the stool, urine, blood, or infected wounds and bandages from a person with a VRE infection. VRE is not spread through the air or from coughing or sneezing. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all drugs as ordered by your doctor, even if you are feeling better. This is very important so the germ does not become resistant to more drugs.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
What problems could happen?
- VRE may come back.
- It can be life-threatening in people with a weakened immune system.
- Resistant germs may cause more serious infections.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill the germs.
- Wash your hands before and after going to the bathroom. Wash them before preparing food.
- Clean surfaces like countertops, door handles, remotes, toys, and phones. Wipe them with a disinfectant.
- Clean your bathrooms often.
- Wash towels after each use. Wash bedding often.
- Cover wounds with bandages. Wash your hands before and after changing a bandage.
- Wear gloves if you touch body fluids of a person with VRE, such as stool, urine, blood, or infected wounds. Wash your hands before and after using gloves.
- Do not share personal items like towels or razors.
- Ask your doctors and nurses to wash their hands before they touch you.
- Always tell your doctors and nurses if you have had VRE.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Fast heartbeat
- Burning when passing urine, back pain
- Trouble breathing
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, or a wound that will not heal.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/vre/vre.html ‚
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ‚
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/antimicrobialresistance/examples/vre/Pages/default.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚