Pseudomonas infection is caused by bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacteria are found extensively in our environment. By and large, they do not set off an infection in healthy individuals. And if an infection does occur in a healthy person, it is fairly mild.
Healthy people are known to carry these bacteria without knowing it and without having any specific manifestations.
How Do You Get Pseudomonas Infection?
- People in the hospital are at great risk of contracting pseudomonas aeruginosa. In hospitals, the bacteria spread via medical equipment, cleaning solutions, and other apparatus. They may even spread via food. When they infect individuals who are weak due to an illness or surgery, they can trigger very serious infections.
- Pseudomonas is the chief cause of pneumonia in patients who are on a ventilator.
- Burn victims and those having puncture wounds may contract pseudomonas infections of the bone, blood or urinary tract.
- Cancer patents on chemotherapy are at a huge risk.
- Pseudomonas can gain entry in to the body via catheters and IV needles.
- The bacteria are found in swimming pools, where they cause swimmer’s ear and skin rash – folliculitis.
- People who wear contact lenses may develop complicated eye infections and even visual impairment if the bacteria gain entry in to the contact lens solution.
Symptoms Of Pseudomonas Infection
The symptoms of a pseudomonas infection depend upon where the infection is.
- If there is a wound, you will have green pus in the area. There will be swelling and redness; and pain.
- In case of swimmer’s ear, there will be pain in the ear with offensive discharge.
- In case pneumonia develops you will have cough, fever, and breathlessness.
- If it spreads through the bloodstream it causes septicaemia – chills, fever, confusion, and shock.
Treatment And Prevention Of Pseudomonas Infection
- The chief line of treatment is anti-biotic; confer with your health care provider and see which one is recommended for you. Be sure that you follow the correct dose of anti-biotic, even when you begin to feel better. If you fail to take all the medication, you may not destroy all the bacteria, triggering a relapse as well as drug resistance.
- In certain cases, surgery is advised to get rid of the infected tissue.
- Given that, more and more strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are developing, the hospitals need to take additional care to ensure infection control.
- Keep your hands clean by washing them thoroughly and often. Ensure that cuts and wounds are absolutely clean and kept covered with a clean bandage. Use hot water and soap; when out, use an alcohol based sanitizer. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
- Never share personal items – napkins, towels, washcloths, or razors. It is the major cause of spread of infection.
- Wash your sheets, towels, and clothes with warm water and detergent, and dry them in a hot dryer, if possible.
- After swimming thoroughly wash yourself with soap and water and dry your ears well with a clean towel.
- Make sure your environment is clean by using a disinfectant to wipe all the surfaces you touch often (doorknobs, counter tops, and switches).