Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Recognizing and treating a mild case of pseudomonas infection
• Part 2 of 2: Recognizing and treating severe cases
• Warnings

Pseudomonas is a bacteria that generally only causes serious infection in people with weakened immune systems. That means that the people most susceptible to it are often already very sick and in hospital. These infections are usually treated with antibiotics. Finding an effective antibiotic can be difficult because this bacteria is increasingly resistant to prescription drugs. But if a sample of the bacteria is sent to the lab, it should be possible to treat it.

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Part 1 of 2: Recognizing and treating a mild case of pseudomonas infection

1. Recognize a mild case of pseudomonas infection. Pseudomonas usually produces mild symptoms in people with healthy immune systems. This infection can be spread through water. There are known cases of:
   • Eye infections in people who wear contact lenses for extended periods of time. To prevent this, it is better to always change your lens solution and not to keep it for too long. Do not wear your lenses longer than recommended by the optician or ophthalmologist.
   • Ear infection in children who have swum in contaminated water. This can happen if there is not enough chlorine in the swimming water.
   • Skin rash after using a contaminated spa. This rash usually looks like red, itchy bumps, or fluid-filled blisters around the hair follicle. It can get worse where your skin was covered with a bathing suit or swimming trunks.
2. Go to your doctor to be diagnosed. The doctor will want to review the results and may take a sample of the bacteria to send to the lab so that the diagnosis can be confirmed. This can be done in two ways:
   • By rubbing the infection with a cotton swab.
   • By taking a biopsy. However, this is rare.
3. Discuss treatment options with your doctor. If you are otherwise healthy, treatment may not be necessary. Your immune system can fight the infection itself. However, your doctor may suggest:
   • Use something against itching if the rash is very itchy.
   • Take antibiotics if the infection is very serious. Your doctor will be more likely to prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection in your eyes.

Part 2 of 2: Recognizing and treating severe cases

1. Talk to your doctor if you may be at risk for complications. Pseudomonas infections are dangerous for people who are already hospitalized and have weakened immune systems. Newborn babies are also at higher risk. As adults, you are more at risk when you:
   • Being treated for cancer.
   • have HIV / AIDS.
   • Is on a ventilator.
   • Must recover from surgery.
   • Have a catheter.
   • Needs to recover from severe burns.
   • Have diabetes.
   • Have cystic fibrosis.
2. Notify your doctor if you think you have an infection. Call your doctor right away as soon as you think you have an infection. There are different types of pseudomonas infections, depending on where on your body it occurs. You can suffer from:
   • Pneumonia. This could be related to an infected breathing machine.
   • Eye inflammation
   • Ear infection
   • Cystitis from a contaminated catheter
   • An infected surgical wound
   • An inflamed bedsore. This can occur in patients who have to lie in bed for a long time.
   • Blood poisoning as a result of a contaminated IV.
3. Talk to your doctor about which medicines you can use. Your doctor can take a sample and send it to the lab to find out what type of bacteria you are infected with. The lab can then help decide which drugs are most effective against the infection. Pseudomonas bacteria are very often resistant to the most commonly prescribed drugs. For many of the drugs that are effective, it is important that your doctor knows your complete medical history, especially if you think you might be pregnant or if you have kidney dysfunction. The doctor can prescribe the following medicines:
   • Ceftazidime. This is often effective against the most common species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. You can get it through an IV or by injection into a vein. If you are allergic to penicillin, it may not be suitable.
   • Piperacillin / Tazobactam (Tazocin). This agent is also effective against pseudomonas aeruginosa. It can affect the action of other medications, so let your doctor know exactly what you are taking, including over-the-counter remedies, herbal remedies, and supplements.
   • Aminoglycosides (Tobramycin). The dosage of these drugs can be adjusted depending on your body weight and kidney health. The doctor may monitor your blood and fluid levels during this treatment.
   • Ciprofloxacin. This medicine can be taken orally and intravenously. Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy or renal impairment, or if you are pregnant.
   • Colistin. This can be taken orally, intravenously or through a nebulizer.

Warnings

• Tell your doctor if you think you are pregnant before taking any medication.