Pseudomonas is a bacterium from a family that includes 191 species. These bacteria can colonize a wide variety of tissues and organs, and are widely distributed in plant seeds and water. Because these bacteria are Gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas is resistant to a number of antibiotics, such as penicillin. Pseudomonas are also able to survive even in the most extreme environments, due to their tough cell walls. As a result, the infection is difficult to treat.
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Part 1 of 2: Determining the Site of Infection
Step 1. Understand that there are no specific symptoms of Pseudomonas infection
Symptoms that arise are usually related to the infected organ. Pseudomonas infection can occur in the following parts of the body:
- Blood flow: causes bacteremia
- Heart: causes endocarditis
- Ear: causes otitis
- Respiratory tract: causes pneumonia
- Central nervous system: causes brain abscess, or meningitis
- Eyes: causes endophthalmitis
- Gastrointestinal tract: causes enterocolitis, or enteritis
- Bones and joints: causes osteomyelitis
- Skin: causes eczema gangrenosum
- This means you should pay attention to the symptoms based on the infected organ.
Step 2. Watch for pneumonia symptoms
Symptoms of pneumonia include:
- Fever: occurs when the body is fighting an infection. High body temperature will make bacteria susceptible to treatment.
- Cyanosis: a change in skin color to purple or blue due to low oxygen saturation. When this happens, the lungs do not function properly, and gas exchange does not take place normally, resulting in low oxygen saturation.
- Hypoxia: hypoxia is a symptom related to previous symptoms -- hypoxia means low oxygen levels in the body. Because your lungs are compromised, your body won't be able to get the oxygen it needs, resulting in hypoxia.
- Rales: crackling sound during inhalation. These sounds are caused by fluid trapped in the small passages in the lungs. His voice faltered, heard during inhalation and exhalation.
- Ronki: a vibrating sound heard during breathing. This vibrating sound is heard continuously during breathing, both when inhaling and exhaling. This sound is caused by air moving through a narrowed airway.
Step 3. Watch for symptoms of endocarditis
Symptoms include:
- Murmur: an unusual sound when the heart beats. These symptoms are caused by narrowing of the valves, or an abnormal passage of blood into the heart.
- Positive blood culture: when your blood culture is positive, you are infected with bacteria.
- Peripheral stigmata: meaning minor bleeding in different parts of the body. Peripheral stigmata is a symptom that occurs as a result of immune complex vasculitis, or septic embolism.
Step 4. Watch for gastrointestinal symptoms
These symptoms include:
- Dehydration: water is not properly absorbed in the intestines, leading to dehydration.
- Fever: fever is a sign of infection. A fever is also evidence that the body is trying to fight off the infection, by releasing antibodies into the bloodstream.
- Abdominal distension: Abdominal distention occurs when fluid or gas builds up in the abdominal cavity.
- Signs of peritonitis: Peritonitis is inflammation of the tissue lining the inside of the abdomen. Symptoms include decreased appetite, decreased urine volume, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain.
Step 5. Watch for signs of bone and joint infection
Symptoms include:
- Decreased range of motion: when infection occurs in the bones and joints, they will not be able to function normally, so your range of motion will be hampered.
- Local pain: the bone will become softer, as the infection destroys the cells. In some cases, you will be more prone to fractures, due to weak bones.
Step 6. Watch for signs of skin infection
Symptoms include:
- Bloody, necrotic lesions: when infection first occurs, small lesions appear on the surface of the skin. These lesions quickly turn into open sores containing necrotic tissue.
- Erythema around the lesion: the skin surrounding the lesion will be reddish in color, as a result of inflammation.
- Deep abscess: an abscess will form as the infection progresses into the skin.
- Cellulitis: cellulitis is another symptom related to bacterial infections. Cellulitis will appear on the face, arms, or legs. The area will be red, painful, and warm.
- Subcutaneous nodules: lumps that appear under the skin.
Step 7. Watch for symptoms of eye infection
These symptoms include:
- Discharge of pus: infection may contaminate the lacrimal gland, or the duct through which tears are drained. Pus will come out through this channel when an infection occurs.
- Edema (swelling) of the eyelids: the infection can also affect the area around the eyes, such as the eyelids. Just like any other infection, the tissue will become red and swollen.
- Conjunctival erythema: the conjunctiva is the white layer of the eye. When an infection occurs, this section may also experience interference.
Step 8. Watch for symptoms of bacteremia
These symptoms include:
- Low blood pressure
- Shock: in the case of bacteremia, you may experience septic shock. This occurs when the pathogen is localized in many parts of the body. In these cases, multiorgan failure is possible.
- Tachycardia: fast heart rate.
- Tachypnea: rapid breathing.
Part 2 of 2: Coping With Pseudomonas Infection
Step 1. Understand that treatment will be determined by the infected area
The treatment given depends on the type of infection. There are no natural or home treatments that are known to be effective against Pseudomonas infection. In all types of infections, antibiotic therapy will be given.
Step 2. Treat pneumonia with antibiotics
Prescription erythromycin and cephalexin are the most common treatment options for antibiotic therapy. These drugs should be given daily, once every 6 or 12 hours, depending on the content.
This treatment should be carried out for about 5 days using both antibiotics. After that, only one of the two antibiotics will be given, and treatment will continue for another three weeks
Step 3. Treat meningitis with ceftazidime
Ceftazidime is an effective antibiotic because of its ability to penetrate deep into the subarachnoid space. Pseudomonas is also very sensitive to this drug.
This drug is injected into your muscle at a dose of 2 grams every 8 hours. This treatment should last for about 2 weeks, depending on the severity of the disease
Step 4. Treat your ear infection
If Pseudomonas causes otitis externa, local treatment with antibiotics and steroids will be used.
- Antibiotic ear drops such as ciprodex (ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone) will usually be prescribed.
- These ear drops should be given daily, once every 12 hours, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Step 5. Use antibiotics to treat bacteremia
When Psedomonas is identified as the pathogen responsible for the infection, a combination of a broad spectrum antibiotic (cephalosporin or penicillin) and an aminoglycoside will be used. This treatment should be given according to the severity of the disease.
Step 6. Treat urinary tract infections
One of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics is ciprofloxacin. A dose of 250 or 500 mg will be given according to the severity of the infection. This antibiotic should be given in daily doses every 12 hours.
- Levofloxacin is an option over ciprofloxacin, and the maximum daily dose is 750 mg per day. The duration of therapy varies, depending on the severity of the disease.
- You may only need it for 3 days if you have an uncomplicated infection, but in more serious and complicated cases, you may need up to three weeks of treatment.
Step 7. Treat your GI tract infection
In addition to antibiotic treatment, gastrointestinal infections also require high fluid intake. High fluid intake will soften your stools, and prevent inflammation.
