Infections

Hospitals and medical facilities are at risk from infections on a daily basis.  Below is a brief description of the main infections that we are fighting in the UK: please click on the statistics link on the left to see how we perform against national targets.

• MRSA
• Clostridium Difficile
• ESBLs – Resistant Organisms
• Norovirus

MRSA

MRSA is the short name for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, also known as the ‘Superbug’. 

Staphylococcus Aureus (SA) is a type of bacteria which around one in three of us carries around on the surface of our skin without ever developing an infection.  If SA bacteria gets into the body through a break in the skin they can cause infections such as boils, abscesses, or impetigo; and if the bacterium gets into the bloodstream then it can cause much more serious infections.

Most SA infections can be treated with Methicillin, an antibiotic similar to penicillin, but MRSA is bacterium which is resistant to Methicillin.  Antibiotics can still be used to treat MRSA but the infection may require a much higher dose over a much longer period, or the use of another antibiotic to which the bacteria is not resistant.

MRSA is usually spread through person-to-person contact and It is unusual for a healthy person to become infected with MRSA, although it is possible.  MRSA infections are most common in people who are already in hospital as they have an entry point for the bacteria to get into their body, such as a surgical wound, a catheter, or an intravenous tube. 

For more information about MRSA, please visit the NHS Direct website at: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx"ArticleID=252

or visit the Health Protection Agency website at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/staphylo/default.htm

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Clostridium Difficile

Clostridium difficile, also known as ‘C. diff’ is a bacteria found naturally in the gut of around 3% of adults and 66% of children.  C. diff doesn’t cause any problems for healthy people, but some antibiotics used to treat other conditions can affect the balance of bacteria in the gut, which causes the C. diff bacteria to multiply and cause symptoms such as diarrhoea and fever.

As many C. diff infections are caused by antibiotics, most cases occur in a healthcare environment, such as a hospital. It is also possible to develop this infection, however, outside hospital. The Elderly are most at risk from infection and around 80% of cases occur in people over the age of 65.  Most people with a C. diff infection make a full recovery, but in very rare cases the infection can be fatal. Find out more - http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp"ID=1735&Pos=1&ColRank=2&Rank=224)

C. diff can be spread through a person’s diarrhoea, which can then contaminate their surroundings, such as toilets, bedclothes, skin and clothing. The spores can also be spread through the air (during bed-making for example) and are able to survive for a long time outside the body unless they are destroyed through very thorough cleaning.

For more information about C diff, please visit the NHS Direct website at: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx"articleId=2139 or go to the Health Protection Agency website at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/clostridium_difficile/default.htm andhttp://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/clostridium_difficile/C_diff_faqs.htm

Click here for a leaflet on Clostridium difficile for patients and visitors produced by the Trust.

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ESBLs – Resistant Organisms

Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) are strains of E. coli bacteria that are resistant to

Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) are strains of E. coli bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.  E. coli is a very common bacteria which is usually found living harmlessly in the gut.  Some E. coli bacterium produces ESBL enzymes, which makes them more resistant to antibiotics and the infections are harder to treat.

It is unusual for a healthy person to become infected with an ESBL, most cases are in patients with an underlying medical condition who are already very sick and in those with a weak immune system, such as the elderly.  People who have been taking antibiotics or who have previously been hospitalised are mainly affected.

Research is still being conducted to assess how the infection is contracted and spread, but there are currently a limited number of antibiotics which can be used to treat the infection.

For more information about ESBLs, please visit the Health Protection Agency website at:http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/esbl/default.htm

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Norovirus

Norovirus is the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis in England and Wales.

Although relatively mild, norovirus illness can occur at any age because immunity to it is not long-lasting.

The disease was historically known as “winter vomiting disease” due to its seasonality and typical symptoms.

Outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis are common in semi-closed environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and cruise ships.

For more information on Norovirus pleas go to: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/norovirus/faq.htm

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