"Nightmare Bacteria" CRE on the Rise
By: Sabrina Santucci
Updated: March 7, 2013
Carbapenem-Resistant
Enterobacteriaceae is the family of bacteria also known as CRE. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention released a warning saying action is needed now
to stop it from spreading.
Swedish American Emergency Department Pharmacist Kirk Schubert explains "CRE we really don't have many antibiotics to treat right now. There's really nothing available."
It's
because CRE has even become resistant to last source drugs called Carbapenems.
"The resistance patterns started to develop, I think the first ones in 92' and have increased from 1 to 4 percent so its becoming more and more prevalent," says Schubert.
The
"nightmare bacteria" as its being called by the CDC is not spread by
coughing or sneezing. It's found in the intestines. Outbreaks can be controlled
by practicing good infection prevention since it's also spread by temporary
medical devices like catheters and ventilators.
Schubert
says "the bacterium that causes CRE is found in the digestive tract of
normal human beings they develop that resistance and then their spread from
that point."
The
best way to prevent catching the bug is washing your hands before and after
contact with a healthcare facility. Schubert also recommends washing hands
before and after handling food.
There
have been several cases in northwest
