Over the entire conscious life, every person on the planet is attacked by a variety of viruses, bacteria. Some dangerous guests leave behind a number of unpleasant consequences and complications that manifest themselves in old age. Each pathogenic microorganism has its own role, task, they are all detected in different ways, and, accordingly, the specifics of treatment are individual.
In medical practice, many dangerous diseases have been recorded, which the average person does not even know about. These include a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection caused by the aerobic non-spore-forming bacillus of the genus Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is a mobile bacterium capable of processing carbon sources in the environment.
The main feature is that in order to maintain vital activity it does not require special nutrients, it perfectly adapts and multiplies in an environment with a complete absence of organic substances. It can exist even in disinfectants and develop in ordinary distilled liquid.
The main purpose of today's publication is to get a detailed familiarization with the clinical and epidemiological properties of this bacterium, the definition of antibiotic therapy methods. We will tell you why nosocomial infections are dangerous, which pathologies entail, and find out the features of alternative treatment.
Characteristic
Official science knows about 140 varieties of gram-negative bacteria of this subspecies. The main habitat of their habitat is the environment. The causative agent prefers moist soil, water, lives inside plants, in the digestive tract of animals and even people. The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa feels great at a temperature of 37 to 42 degrees, actively multiplies and grows rapidly.
The pathogenic microorganism is a threat to humans, resistant to most antibacterial and antimicrobial agents. It is worth noting that in 10% of healthy people, the bacterium is found on the skin, in the inguinal region, near the auricles, nasopharyngeal mucosa and in the intestinal microflora.
Science suggests that the risk of a dangerous disease exists if the quantity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exceeds the permissible limits. Persons with chronic diseases, immunocompromised are most susceptible to severe pathological processes. The pathogen can be picked up by aerosol, food, contact-household methods. According to statistics, most often infection occurs in a medical institution through medical equipment, unprocessed instruments, solutions, antiseptic agents, endoscopes.
Recently, nosocomial (nosocomial) infections (nosocomial infections) are very relevant throughout the world. Most susceptible to them are small children, the elderly, patients with poor immunological reactivity. To reduce the risk of the spread of infection, new innovative diagnostic and therapeutic methods and instrumental equipment are created to identify nosological forms of the disease.
More about nosocomial infections
The World Health Organization is sounding the alarm on the number of sick patients who were hospitalized in a medical facility. Nosocomial infections, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are a serious problem for the entire global community, often leading to deaths. This is due to poor sanitation of premises, equipment, the presence of a latent disease among health workers. Pseudomonas infection is detected in internal organs, in lacerations and purulent wounds, as well as small cuts, respiratory tract, intestinal tract. Depending on the localization of the pathogen, characteristic symptoms appear.
Typical symptoms
A pathogenic microorganism can affect many tissues and organs of a person, while for a long period of time it does not give itself away, causing significant damage to health. Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes serious complications: sepsis, gangrenous ecthyma, necrosis, meningitis, etc. With damage to the urinary system, the symptoms are characterized by pain during emptying of the bladder, pain in the abdomen, burning sensation. Many patients make their own diagnoses and take drugs uncontrollably.
It is extremely dangerous for humans to detect bacteria in the intestinal tract. It causes dysbiosis, enteritis, colitis. Intoxication, severe pain, impaired stool, vomiting, nausea appear. The toxins produced by the microbe destroy blood vessels, affect liver cells and provoke hemolysis of blood cells (erythrocytes). Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an advanced stage is practically not cured and poses a threat to life.
Where is the pathogen localized and what causes?
Penetrating into the body, Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes outbreaks of infectious and inflammatory diseases from the urinary, digestive, respiratory, and pulmonary systems. ENT organs are harmful. Diagnosed Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the ear, causing purulent otitis media with an admixture of blood. Infection can occur with rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, adenoiditis, pneumonia and bronchitis.
And with the capture of the urinary system, urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis develop. With burns, ulcers, purulent wounds, the bacterium provokes the development of abscess and sepsis. The risk group includes bedridden patients for whom proper care is not carried out. As a result of prolonged immobility, weeping pressure sores form - gates for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There are many pathologies that Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes. Their therapy is difficult and requires maximum control by the doctor.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is often found in people with a diagnosis of acute pneumonia. Infection can provoke endocarditis, pathology of the central nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Sometimes a local bacterium becomes fatal bacteremia (infection of the whole organism), in which case the prognosis will be depressing. It must be said that the mechanism of the destructive effect of this rod occurs in two stages: invasive and toxigenic.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a child: how dangerous?
World pediatrics is concerned about the increasing incidence of nosocomial infections at an early age. They are mainly affected by underweight children, premature and weakened. There is evidence of deaths (11%). The localization of the pathogen often extends to the intestinal tract, respiratory tract and ENT organs. In each individual case, individual complex therapy is required. Without fail, the child goes to the infectious diseases department.
The clinical picture in children
Increasingly, cases of patients with pneumonia caused by a gram-negative bacterium of the genus Pseudomonas are being recorded. Symptoms pronounced: high fever, debilitating cough with viscous and profuse sputum. After a day, pus is released, shortness of breath and oxygen starvation are observed.
The radiographic image shows significant changes in the lungs. Immediate treatment required. No less dangerous when the Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a child enters the digestive tract. Severe vomiting, diarrhea with an admixture of mucus and pus, pain in the abdomen appear.
Serious disturbances of the intestinal microflora, cramps, heaviness and rumbling are noted, the baby very quickly loses fluid reserves, which threatens with dehydration. Infection occurs in children suffering from cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis) - a hereditary disease. Against the background of this pathology, protective antibodies do not fight with a foreign agent, antibiotics do not help much, as a result, the bacterium progresses at lightning speed, gradually killing a living organism.
Diagnostic measures
Pseudomonas infection by visual examination and general history is not determined. Be sure to take bacteriological culture to identify the bacillus (purulent contents, mucus, urine, blood), and a serological examination is performed. Based on the results obtained, pathogen antibodies are detected, a final assessment is made, therapy is selected and established. Cultural diagnosis is not difficult and is carried out as soon as possible.
Pseudomonas infection: how to treat pathology?
Even 20 years ago, the bacterium did not respond to therapy, deaths occurred much more often than in the 21st century. Science has managed to achieve maximum results in the fight against this insidious disease. Scientists have invented powerful antibacterial agents that block pathogenic microorganisms. These include:
- fluoroquinolones;
- carbapenems;
- ureidopenicillins;
- monobactams.
Unfortunately, this type of pathogenic bacteria mutates, develops resistance even to advanced antimicrobial medicines. To completely suppress the infection and prevent relapse, it is advisable to start therapy at an early stage of the disease. Treated for a long time (at least two weeks) Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibiotics are prescribed after passing the necessary tests and confirming the diagnosis. Only a doctor determines which drugs are appropriate in a particular case.
Usually, stepwise (alternate) treatment with antibiotics is prescribed: intravenously, then intramuscularly. In case of damage to the urinary system, instillations are necessarily used (a catheter with a medicine is inserted into the bladder). If the infection has affected the mucous membranes and skin, then compresses, lotions, gauze dressings are applied, rinses and injections are made.
If necessary, surgical excision of the dead tissue is performed, a similar is noted with bedsores. An integral part of therapy is to strengthen the body's defenses. Pharmacy considers bacteriophage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to be the best filtrate of the phagolysate of bacteria today. This is a modern antibacterial solution that stops pathogenic cells. Suitable for the treatment of all localizations. Used rectally, orally and topically. Increases the synthesis of immunoglobulin, relieves severe symptoms and helps recovery. After a full course of treatment and the elimination of the clinical picture, after about ten days, it is necessary to conduct a second analysis to identify the pathogen. If seeding again shows a positive reaction, a new antibiotic is prescribed.
Additional Therapies
The treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa should be combined with restorative, probiotic and homeopathic remedies, but only under the close supervision of a doctor. In a certain dosage, a vitamin-mineral complex is prescribed, aimed at strengthening immunity. During therapy, it is necessary to observe a balanced diet, eliminating harmful carbohydrates, fats. The menu should be light, enriched with protein, fresh vegetables and fruits.
Alternative methods of getting rid of infection
Without the advice and advice of a specialist, it is extremely dangerous to prescribe certain medicinal herbs. It is not known what reaction they will cause in your case. We strongly advise you not to risk your own health. Some practitioners and homeopaths prescribe herbal components in a complex. If you follow all the instructions and follow the advice of medical professionals, you can forever say goodbye to the diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Folk remedies, such as horsetail, aspen leaves, tea tree oil, chamomile, help in eliminating the inflammatory process and facilitate the course of the disease. A beekeeping product has proven itself - propolis, which has antibacterial, antiseptic properties. From ancient times, decoctions, infusions, ointments for local use are made from it. We describe a few folk recipes.
- In equal proportions, brew the leaves of horsetail (or plantain) and aspen with boiling water. Drink daily 30 g (two tablespoons) before meals, only in diluted form (with tea or water). You can rinse the larynx, rinse the sinuses. The homemade drug has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects.
- Folk healers recommend using natural antibiotics to treat various ailments. These include tea tree oil, which is sold in the pharmacy network. A drop of this liquid should be combined with a dessert spoon of olive oil. Drink once a day with water.
- On a tablespoon of viburnum berries, take two glasses of boiling water. Insist for about an hour until the solution acquires a saturated color. Consume 100 ml four times a day. A similar decoction is made from rose hips. It is infused in a thermos and is drunk like tea.
- We make a healing anti-infusion infusion of five dried or fresh marigold flowers and 250 ml of boiling water. The mixture is infused for an hour. In the cooled solution, add a large spoon of propolis alcohol tincture. Take 50 grams three times a day. The combination of two medicinal plant components stimulates immunobiological processes, has a detrimental effect on pathogenic microbes, and slows their growth and development. In addition, such a decoction exhibits anesthetic and fungicidal effects.
Remember that alternative treatments are in addition to drug therapy and will not be able to prevent infection on their own. They are only aimed at strengthening immunity and reducing inflammation. It is necessary to clearly understand and know about the contraindications of those herbs and plants that you take.
About Prevention
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (infection) is very common in the environment and can colonize into the internal organs of a person, causing great harm. To protect yourself, you need to follow the unspoken rules, observe basic hygiene. It’s easier to catch a bacterium in a hospital setting than from another person. If a source of infection is suspected, all family members living in the same apartment should be inoculated.
The primary and main prevention is to control the health, or rather the immune system. Provide your body with balanced food raw materials, always wash your hands thoroughly in soapy water after gardening, walking. Use wet wipes outside when you want to eat.
To combat the causative agent, health workers must monitor the cleanliness of their hands, facilities and equipment. Be sure to sterilize endotracheal tubes, treat with special solutions of catheters. To exclude infection in hot tubs and pools, constantly monitor the rate of hydrogen indicator of water (7.2-7.8) and the concentration of chloride substances (70.5 mg / l).
All sources of bacterial contamination found in medical facilities should be destroyed immediately. Patients with suspicious symptoms should be examined in a timely manner and placed in the infectious ward in order to avoid the spread of pathology. Thus, it will be possible to minimize cases of infection and correctly adjust treatment.
What are the implications?
The prognosis directly depends on the presence of concomitant pathological processes. The results of therapy will be positive when using a number of broad-based antibacterial drugs. Pseudomonas infection has a detrimental effect on many vital functions, especially on the children's body. In some cases, after prolonged treatment and the elimination of the main manifestations, after a certain period of time, the symptoms can again recur or worsen against the background of existing pathologies.
With suspicious signs of deterioration in general health, do not be too lazy to undergo an examination, at least pass a biochemical blood test and urine. If you don’t trust the results, consult with several experts on a worrying problem. Pay maximum attention to your health, always listen to the signals that the body gives.
Each disease has characteristic signs that mainly occur in the acute stage, then subside. As you know, the latent form indicates that the pathology has passed into a chronic form. In this case, the therapy will be difficult, it will take a lot of time and effort. Never give up, fight ailments, surround yourself with positive emotions, get rid of depression and longing. The path to good health is through prevention. Remember this and don’t be ill!