Pseudomonas Infections Essays - Bacterial Diseases, Pseudomonadales

A pseudomonas infection is caused by the very common bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (say "soo-duh-MOH-nuss ay-roo-jee-NOH-suh"). Healthy people often carry these bacteria around without knowing it and without having any problems. Sometimes these germs cause minor problems like swimmer's ear and hot tub rash. But for people who are weak or ill, these germs can cause very serious?even deadly?infections in any part of the body. The infections are hard to treat because the bacteria can resist many types of antibiotics, the medicines normally used to kill bacteria. Who gets this infection? People in the hospital may get this infection. In hospitals, the bacteria can spread through medical equipment, cleaning solutions, and other equipment. They can even spread through food. When they spread to patients who are weak because of illness, surgery, or treatment, they can cause very serious infections. For example, pseudomonas is one of the main causes of pneumonia in patients who are on breathing machines. Burn victims and people with puncture wounds may get dangerous pseudomonas infections of the blood, bone, or urinary tract. The bacteria can also get into the body through IV needles or catheters. These bacteria like moist environments, such as hot tubs and swimming pools, where they can cause a skin rash or swimmer's ear. People who wear contact lenses can get serious eye infections if the bacteria get into their contact lens solutions. This can happen if you aren't careful about keeping your contact lenses and equipment sterile. What are the symptoms? Symptoms depend on where the infection is. If it's in a wound, there may be green-blue pus in or around the area. If you have swimmer's ear, your ear aches. If the infection causes pneumonia, you may get a cough. When the infections are elsewhere in the body, you may have a fever and feel tired.