VRE can
spread from one person to another through contact with contaminated
surfaces or equipment or through person to person spread, often via contaminated hands. It is not spread through the air by coughing or sneezing.
Can VRE infection be cured?
VRE
infections can be cured in most patients
, and the outcome is often more dependent on the underlying disease than on the infecting organism. The duration of treatment depends on the site of infection. For example, heart-valve infections may require six weeks of antibiotic therapy.
What is a VRE infection?
VRE stands for vancomycin-resistant enterococcus. It’s
an infection with bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotic called vancomycin
. Enterococcus is a type of bacteria
Is VRE serious?
VRE, which was estimated to have caused 54,500 infections among hospitalized patients and led to the deaths of 5,400 people, is listed in the
“serious” category
.
How do you catch VRE?
VRE can be
spread from person to person through direct contact with an infected or colonised person
. This is either directly from the hands of another person or indirectly from environmental surfaces or medical equipment that have become contaminated. It is not spread through the air or by coughing or sneezing.
Should patients with VRE be isolated?
Because patients with VRE can remain colonized for long periods after discharge from the hospital, establish a system for highlighting the records of infected or colonized patients so they can be promptly identified and placed on
isolation precautions
upon readmission to the hospital.
Can you catch VRE from being in the same room?
VRE is usually spread from one person to another by casual contact or by touching contaminated objects. It is NOT spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. People in good health, including children, have very low risk of being infected with VRE.
They can be in the same room
and even casually touch or hug you.
Does VRE ever go away?
Some people get rid of VRE infections on their own as their bodies get stronger. This can take
a few months
or even longer. Other times, an infection will go away and then come back. Sometimes the infection will go away, but the bacteria will remain without causing infection.
Is VRE a hospital acquired infection?
Preventing VRE and Other Hospital-Acquired Infections
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.
How long can VRE survive on hands?
The VRE germ can survive on hard surfaces for five to seven days and
on hands for hours
. It is easy to stop the spread of VRE with good cleaning and by washing your hands.
What kind of precaution is needed for VRE?
Standard precautions including hand washing and gloving
should be followed. Otherwise, healthy household members are not at risk of VRE infection. Dishes and utensils can be washed in a dishwasher or with warm soapy water and rinsed.
Is VRE the same as C diff?
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is a major nosocomial pathogen and is a well known complication among transplant and immune compromised patients.
VRE colonisation
and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) share similar risk factors; antibiotic-induced perturbation of the gut microbiota may contribute to both.
Do you treat VRE in urine?
Treat VRE
cystitis with at least seven days of antimicrobial therapy
. Treat bacteremic VRE UTIs and pyelonephritis with 10 – 14 days of antimicrobial therapy for most cases. CA-UTI due to VRE may be treated with 3 days of therapy in women <65 years old without upper tract symptoms after urinary catheter removal.
Who is at risk for VRE?
Patients at high risk for VRE infections include those who are
undergoing complex or prolonged healthcare
(such as patients in long-term acute care hospitals or ICUs) or patients with weakened immune systems (such as patients undergoing cancer treatment or with organ transplants).
What antibiotics treat VRE?
Doxycycline, chloramphenicol, and rifampin
in various combinations have been used to treat VRE infections, but the newer antibiotic choices are also now available.
Is VRE droplet or contact precautions?
Examples include Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA or MRSA), Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE), Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and scabies.
Droplet Precautions
are required for patients known or suspected to be infected with microorganisms transmitted by droplets.
