Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Vancomycin (van-ko-MY-sin) resistant enterococcus (en-ter-oh-KOK-us) is a bacteria (bak-TEER-e-uh) (germ) that causes bad infections. It is also called VRE. Enterococci (en-ter-oh-KOX-e) live in your stomach, and usually only cause infection when you are not well. VRE may affect many different parts of your body. VRE can also infect your blood, which can be very serious. VRE is part of a growing number of bacteria that have mutated (changed) over the years. These bacteria cannot be killed by a powerful antibiotic (an-ti-bi-AH-tik) medicine called vancomycin. It also is not killed easily by many other antibiotics that caregivers use for infections. VRE is a major health concern for caregivers. It cannot be treated very easily and is very contagious (kun-TAY-jus) (easy to spread).
  
  
• You can get VRE from being in the intensive care unit (ICU) or having surgery. You can also get it if you have health problems that keep coming back or have a weak immune system. This is when your body cannot fight off illnesses others would normally fight off. VRE can make you very sick for a long time. Your caregiver will have you take an antibiotic to treat the VRE. You will be on "contact precautions" while you have VRE. This is to prevent people from getting it and spreading it to others.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Your VRE infection will be treated with an antibiotic. Call your caregiver if you feel your medicine is not working or you are having side effects.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by your caregiver. Keep taking the medicine for the VRE until your caregiver tells you to stop, even though you may feel better. If you do not follow your caregivers instructions, your VRE will not go away. You may then accidently infect others.
  
  
• Always wash your hands well. This will help prevent spreading VRE to others. Do this after you go to the bathroom, before you touch any food, and after you cough or sneeze. To wash your hands, you should use germ-killing soap and warm water. Wet your hands under clean, running water. Make a good lather with the soap. Rub your hands back and forth and over each other, applying pressure when you do this. Do this for 15 to 20 seconds. Rinse off all the soap and dry your hands right away.
  
  
• If you do not have clean, running water available, you may use a germ-killing antibacterial hand cleaner. Apply some of the cleaner to the palm of one hand. Rub your hands together making sure you cover all areas of your hands. Do this until your hands are dry.
  
  
• Keep track of what medicines you are taking and when you are taking them. Bring a list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregiver. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for more information about your medicines.

What if I need help when I get home? Your caregiver may want you to have a caregiver visit you at home. If you still need IV antibiotics, you may go home with an IV line. This is how the antibiotic will be given. A caregiver specially trained in caring for you at home may teach you how to give your medicines. They may also teach a friend or family member to give your antibiotic. Ask your caregiver for more information about having a caregiver visit you at home.

When is my next medical appointment?

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You notice increased pain, redness, or swelling around the infected area.
  
  
• You notice drainage or a bad smell from the infected area.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature). \
  
  
• You develop severe (bad) diarrhea (di-uh-REE-uh).
  
  
• You feel very tired, do not have any energy, or become confused.
  
  
• You have bone pain.
  
  
• You notice constant numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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