What does vre infection look like

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Skip to navigation Skip to main content Site map Accessibility Contact us. Search this site Search all sites Search. Go to whole of WA Government Search. Open search bar Open navigation Submit search. Health conditions. Facebook Youtube Twitter. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci VRE Enterococci are bacteria germs that commonly live in the gastrointestinal tract bowels of most people this is called colonisation without causing illness.

There are other antibiotics that can be used to treat VRE infections. Who is most at risk of getting VRE infections? People whose ability to fight infections is low, such as: people with cancer those receiving dialysis people in an intensive care unit people who have had transplants. How is VRE spread? It is not spread through the air or by coughing or sneezing. The symptoms that develop with VRE infection are the ones you would get with any other bacterial infection such as: fever feeling generally unwell rapid pulse rate redness, swelling, pain or heat at a specific site In some cases VRE can enter the bloodstream, from either an existing infection such as an abscess or urinary tract infection or from a medical device such as a urinary catheter or intravenous catheter.

If the VRE are causing infection, there are still some antibiotics that can be used. What happens if you have VRE? However, some extra precautions will be taken: You will be moved to a single room.

Everyone, including you and your visitors, will need to wash their hands or use an alcohol-based hand rub before entering or leaving your room. A sign will be placed on your door to remind others of the precautions they need to follow, for example, to wear a gown and gloves when providing care.

On This Page. How common are these infections? Top of Page. Who is at risk? Those most likely to be infected include: people who have been previously treated with antibiotics, including vancomycin, for long periods of time people who are hospitalized, have undergone surgical procedures, or have medical devices inserted in their bodies such as catheters people with weakened immune systems, such as patients in intensive care units, or in cancer or transplant wards Top of Page.

How is it spread? How can you avoid getting an infection? If you or someone in your household has VRE, you can protect yourself by: keeping your hands clean to avoid getting sick and spreading germs that can cause infections patients and their caregivers should wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, particularly: after using the bathroom before and after handling medical devices or caring for wounds before preparing food frequently cleaning areas of the home, such as bathrooms, that may become contaminated with VRE wearing gloves if hands may come in contact with body fluids that may contain VRE, such as stool poop or bandages from infected wounds Always wash your hands after removing gloves.

How are these infections treated? Get Email Updates. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address. A person might be colonized for a long time before getting sick or might never get sick.

VRE can cause infections of the urinary tract, the bloodstream, wounds associated with catheters or surgical procedures, or other body sites.

Symptoms will depend on the site of infection, but include fever and pain at the site. Wound infection symptoms might also include swelling, redness, and discharge pus. In most situations, exposure to VRE does not lead to illness.

The person might carry the VRE in his or her body, but not get sick at all, or might get sick from the VRE days, weeks, or months later. If VRE infection is suspected, a sample can be taken from the infection site e. If enterococci bacteria are isolated, more laboratory tests are needed to determine which antibiotics will be effective for treating them. If the bacteria are resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin, a diagnosis of VRE is made. Treatment is usually not needed for people who are colonized with VRE carry VRE but do not have any symptoms of infection.