Brown & Crouppen Represents Individuals Infected by VRE- A "Super Germ."
Offices in St. Louis, Kansas City and Throughout Missouri
Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus faecium (VRE) is a bacteria that generally infects the blood, urinary tract and wounds, and is a significant cause of serious illness and fatality in hospitals across the nation. It is often referred to as a "super germ" because of its resistance to antibiotics. It is the second-leading cause of hospital-acquired infections behind E. coli.
Here are some facts about VRE:
- VRE is believed to be responsible for about 10 percent of all hospital infections.
- VRE is especially dangerous to patients with compromised immune systems.
- VRE bacteria cannot be controlled with antibiotics.
- The most likely place to be infected with a VRE infection is in a hospital.
VRE can cultivate from hospital equipment, doorknobs and bedrails. It has also been found on the hands of hospital personnel. Anyone who frequents hospitals should be considered at risk for carrying VRE.
VRE Infection - How Common Is It?
Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital analyzed over 8,200 patients (average 61 years of age) who stayed at eight different ICUs. Thy stayed a total of 11,528 times between 2003 and 2005. The study found that out of the 8,200 patients, 658 were infected with VRE and 658 had MRSA upon admittance to the intensive care unit.
In addition, the heightened risk was still present even after hospitals in the study followed room-cleaning and disinfecting procedures beyond the national guidelines, indicating that these measures fail to prevent the transmission of dangerous bacteria and infection, said the study authors.
Symptoms of a VRE infection can be hard to detect because they mimic other diseases. Further, symptoms vary with the site of the infection. For example, if VRE is causing a wound infection, your skin may be red or tender. If you have VRE in your urinary tract, you may have back pain, a burning sensation when you urinate, or a need to urinate more often than usual.
Contact the Attorneys of Brown & Crouppen
If you or a loved one has suffered from a hospital-borne bacterial infection, contact Brown & Crouppen today. Our firm can help you make informed decisions about your claim, so call Brown & Crouppen toll free at 888-842-7944 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online contact form.
