Diana Stones BlogI had a heart attack

I’m still here but it’s been a hell of a ride so far 5 weeks in hospital which is not fun I’m waiting surgery for that dependent on my having cleared and infection and it might take a while

With a fair wind I might make it home Christmas I sincerely hope so

This is what is holding up my surgery it’s an infection that normally is in your gut but if I where to have the op it could kill me. Typing this from my hospital bed or rather dictating it as it’s very difficult typing stuff on a phone so stay tuned hopefully more interesting things will follow after the moment check me out on Facebook and The Usual Suspectse

vre infection

VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci) is a type of gut bacteria resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. It can live in the body harmlessly (colonisation) or cause severe infections in the blood, urinary tract, or wounds, mostly in hospital settings. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Symptoms

Fever or chills
General feeling of sickness
Fast heart rate
Redness, swelling, or pain at a wound site
Confusion (if the infection is severe) [1, 2]

Causes and Spread

Natural presence: Enterococci live safely in the human gut and bowels.
Antibiotic use: Long-term or repeated antibiotic use kills off normal bacteria and lets VRE grow.
Transmission: It spreads through direct contact with unwashed hands, contaminated hospital surfaces, or medical equipment. It does not spread through the air. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Risk Factors

Long stays in a hospital or intensive care unit (ICU)
A weak immune system (such as from cancer treatment or organ transplants)
Recent surgery or medical devices like urinary catheters or IV lines [1, 2, 3]

Treatment

Colonisation: If VRE lives in your gut without causing symptoms, you do not need treatment.
Active Infection: Doctors treat active infections using alternative, lab-tested antibiotics that still work against the bacteria. [1, 2, 3, 4]

You can find more clinical details through the CDC VRE Overview or guidance from the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. [1, 2]

Are you asking because you or a loved one has been diagnosed with VRE, or do you need help with hospital isolation and hygiene guidelines?

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) – North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Definition: Enterococci bacteria resistant to Vancomycin and other antibiotics, causing colonisation (no symptoms) or infection. Testing: Faecal, urine, rectal …

HealthyWA

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE)

Definition: Enterococci bacteria resistant to vancomycin antibiotic via genetic adaptation. Transmission: Spread person-to-person through contaminated hands, eq…

Healthline

VRE: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Definition: VRE is vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, an intestinal/genital bacteria resistant to vancomycin, causing bloodstream, urinary, brain, heart, and wo…

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) | Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

* Introduction. This leaflet has been produced to give you general information. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to…

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) Basics | VRE | CDC

Overview: Enterococci are normal intestinal bacteria; Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) are resistant to vancomycin and primarily cause infections in healt…

University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire

Vancomycin

What is vancomycin- resistant enterococci (VRE)? Enterococci are a type of bacteria (germs) that normally live in the human gut. Usually, they do not cause any …

National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Home

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) – Information for healthcare workers

Definition: Enterococci resistant to vancomycin, causing difficult-to-treat infections in wounds, urinary tract, and bloodstream, primarily healthcare-associate…

HSE website

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE): symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatments

Definition: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are gut bacteria resistant to vancomycin antibiotics. Transmission & Risk: Spread primarily in hospitals via …