Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (Germs)

Last updated: 01 August 2005

What are antibiotic resistant bacteria?

Antibiotic resistant bacteria (such as methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] or vancomycin resistant Enterococci [VRE]) are resistant to, and cannot be destroyed by, many of the antibiotics commonly used to treat infections.

Antibiotic resistant germs may live in the nose or in the bowels of healthy people.

Are antibiotic resistant bacteria?

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are not usually harmful to healthy people but can cause problems for those who are seriously ill. These bacteria do not cause more serious infections but it is more difficult to choose the right antibiotic to treat them.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria can be treated.

Who is likely to get antibiotic resistant bacteria?

People most likely to get antibiotic resistant bacteria are those who are:

• very ill - including those with cancer, transplants and chronic renal disease
• intensive care unit patients
• on long courses of antibiotics
• recovering from major surgery
• being treated with invasive devices or ventilators
• spending a long time in hospital.

What happens if I have antibiotic resistant bacteria?

Bacteria can be on the body but not cause an infection. This is called being "colonised". If you are colonised with antibiotic resistant bacteria you will not experience sickness or symptoms. Colonised patients are sometimes given treatment to prevent infection developing.

Occasionally, people who are colonised with antibiotic resistant bacteria may have their surgery temporarily postponed or be moved to a single room in the hospital. This is because infected and colonised patients can spread the bacteria to other patients and colonised patients can develop infections.

Infection means that bacteria are in, or on, the body and are making you sick.

Signs of infection include fever, pus from a wound and pneumonia.

Patients with an antibiotic resistant bacterial infection may need to be cared for by a specialist doctor so they get the right treatment and antibiotics. Your doctor may also order regular laboratory tests to check if you continue to have antibiotic resistant bacteria during and after treatment.

If you are in hospital and you are colonised or infected with an antibiotic resistant bacteria, healthcare workers will take steps to help stop the spread of the infection between yourself and other patients.

These steps may include:

• moving you to a single room within the hospital
• regular and thorough hand washing by staff and visitors - staff may either wash their hands at the sink or use a specially prepared waterless hand cleaning solution
• wearing a gown, or apron, and gloves when they touch you.

How do you know you have antibiotic resistant bacteria?

If you have an infection that is not getting better with your antibiotic treatment, you may not be on the right antibiotic for your infection. Your doctor may need to change your antibiotic. There is also a very small chance you may have an antibiotic resistant bacterial infection.

Your doctor may order special laboratory tests to determine if you have an antibiotic resistant bacterial infection.

How can I protect my family from infection?

If you are in hospital, staff will give specific advice to your visitors about strict hand washing with water and liquid soap each time they enter and leave your room. Visitors should also avoid contact with your wounds and soiled bandages.

Exposure to someone with antibiotic resistant bacteria should not harm healthy people, including pregnant women, children and babies.

What happens when I get home?

Thorough hand washing is essential for you and everyone else in the home. Normal household cleaning practices are sufficient.

Towels, clothes, bed sheets and other items that might have pus or antibiotic resistant bacteria on them can be washed in a domestic washing machine. No special washing temperature is recommended. All eating utensils and dishes can be washed as normal.

When seeing new doctors or if you return to hospital it is important to tell them about any previous or current antibiotic resistant infections or colonisations.

For more information

Talk to your doctor or the nurses treating you.