According to Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention, “Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi cause more than 2.8 million infections and 35,000 deaths in the United States each year. This means that on average, one person in the United States acquires an antibiotic-resistant infection every 11 seconds and every 15 minutes someone dies.” “We are regularly surrounded by things that can kill us, but our immune system works around the clock to fight off foreign invaders and keep us healthy.
But we must also do our part. Taking safety precautions and staying informed, especially given the current climate of COVID-19, and an increase in influenza and RSV cases can help avoid illness, but there is no way to fully prevent them. infections. “While there is no guaranteed way to avoid all life-threatening infections, there are several things people can do to minimize their risk of infection,” said Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, FACEP, FUHM, FACMT Medical Toxicologist and Co-Medical Director at the National Capital Poison Control Center tell us.
She continues, “It’s important to work closely with your doctors to manage any chronic illnesses and get recommended vaccinations (like COVID-19 boosters and flu shots) that can help reduce your risk of contracting illnesses.” serious infections. Practice good hand hygiene, and always wash your hands after using the toilet and touching animals, and before and after handling food. Dr. Evelyne Huang, an emergency medicine resident at Northwestern Memorial Hospital says another way to help reduce the risk of fatal infection is to “limit exposure.” She adds, “That means practicing good hygiene (like hand washing and sanitizing), wearing protective gear when indicated (like gloves and masks) and avoiding others who may be sick. If someone a has a wound or cut, make sure it is kept clean and not exposed to potentially harmful bacteria.” Read on and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure signs you’ve already had COVID.
Dr. Johnson-Arbor explains, “In many people, infections are localized to one area of the body. For example, strep throat often affects only the oral cavity and pneumonia affects the lungs). Our immune system is normally effective in fighting However, in some individuals infections can spread throughout the body and in some cases the immune system does not react normally to the presence of the infection.
This can lead to a condition called “sepsis”. Sepsis It is characterized by an intense and abnormal immune response due to an infection. Patients with sepsis may experience rapid clinical deterioration and may develop multi-organ failure and death. Unfortunately, nearly a third of patients affected by severe cases of sepsis do not survive their disease.
Dr. Johnson-Arbor says: “People with weakened immune systems, including those with diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases, are at increased risk of sepsis and life-threatening infections. Very young and Very old people are also at risk of developing sepsis.However, life-threatening infections can also occur in healthy people without any of these risk factors.
Dr. Huang tells us, “Immunocompromised people are at risk of getting sick and having more severe symptoms. ).Because their immune system is compromised, they will have a harder time fighting infections.”
Dr. Johnson-Arbor says, “Bacterial infections are the most common causes of sepsis, but sepsis can also occur in people with fungal infections or viruses. COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can also cause sepsis in susceptible people. Certain types of food poisoning can also cause life-threatening infections. Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium found in shellfish, including oysters, as well as warmer, brackish waters. Vibrio vulnificus infection can occur after eating raw oysters contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus or if contaminated water enters the body through an open skin wound. Early signs and symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and may progress rapidly to sepsis and death.
the CDC He explains the different ways people can get an antibiotic-resistant infection, which is “the ability of germs to overcome drugs designed to kill them – is one of the greatest global public health challenges of our time. Antibiotics are one of our most powerful tools for fighting life-threatening infections. Their discovery transformed human and animal health. Sadly, we now live in a time where people around the world, including Americans, are dying of incurable infections due to the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.
■ Close contact (direct or indirect) with a person carrying a resistant germ, for example, this can occur when healthcare providers pass from one patient to another without washing their hands.
■ In the air—for example, TB bacteria can get into the air when a person with TB
lung or throat disease coughs, talks or sings.
■ Contaminated water, which may include sewage systems, hospital plumbing or recreational water.
■ Contact with contaminated surfaces, such as hospital bed rails, kitchen counters, shared equipment (eg, ultrasound machines), or personal items (eg, towels)
■ Animals — for example, eating contaminated food or touching animals with resistant germs.
■ Sexual contact with a person carrying a resistant germ (e.g. N. gonorrhoeae
or shigella).
Dr. Johnson-Arbor says, “Unfortunately, early signs and symptoms of life-threatening infections can be nonspecific. People with sepsis may experience high fever, rapid heart rate, or confusion. However, these signs and symptoms are not specific to sepsis and can also occur in patients with other medical conditions.Because life-threatening infections can progress rapidly, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect that you or a loved one have sepsis.
Dr. Huang tells us, “Symptoms can vary depending on the type of infection. However, people with fever, nausea/vomiting, chills and confusion may have signs of infection that has spread throughout the body. talk to a health care provider.”
Dr. Johnson-Arbor explains, “Sepsis is not contagious; some people may develop sepsis due to an infection such as COVID-19 or the flu, while others may have self-limiting illness. However, it is important to remember that the illnesses that cause sepsis can be contagious and spread easily to other people.
Dr. Huang said, “Contagiousness depends on infection! For example, infections can be spread through respiratory droplets (such as coughs or sneezes), through open wounds and cuts, through fecal-oral transmission (infections transmitted through feces and ingested by another person), or even by insects and animals.
The CDC explains, “Germs continue to spread and develop new types of resistance, and progress may be jeopardized by certain community-associated infections that are on the rise. More action is needed to tackle antibiotic resistance. While the development of new treatments is one of these key actions, these investments must be combined with dedicated efforts to prevent infections in the first place, to slow the development of resistance through better use of antibiotics and to stopping the spread of resistance as it develops to protect American lives now and in the future Antibiotic resistant germs can spread between people with and without symptoms of infection.”
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