Hi - my mom has been in the hospital for 28 days now - she got acute kidney failure -- she was getting better - but she kept throwing up - everyday....tonight they called and said she has VRE (vancomycin resistant enterococcus) -- what does this mean!?!? Will she die from it?
2007-02-19 17:20:05 · 7 answers · asked by doubt133 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
2 days ago they said she has a UTI as well
2007-02-19 17:20:58 · update #1
http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/vancomycin_resistant_enterococcus/fact_sheet.htm
I REALLY hope your mom feels better soon. I genuinely mean that; having a sick mom is the WORST.
I'm sure she'll be okay though, I think that website said it's not too awful serious.
In my prayers. <3
2007-02-19 17:24:14 · answer #1 · answered by Furr. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
VRE is as you say: Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus. It is a bacteria, and you might call it a "superbug". Vancomycin is a very strong antibiotic we use when many of these bacteria are resistant to penicillin and other simpler medications. In fact, Vancomycin is what we use to treat MRSA - the first of the superbugs.
Now there has been so much MRSA and so much vancomycin used that there are now bacteria resistant to vancomycin - hence VRE.
It can cause minimal effects and live on your skin or it can infect wounds or get into your lungs or into your bladder and cause infections. Perhaps your mother's VRE is causing the UTI (urinary tract infection).
2007-02-19 17:26:49 · answer #2 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) ?
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are a type of bacteria called enterococci that have developed resistance to many antibiotics, especially vancomycin. Enterococci bacteria live in our intestines and on our skin, usually without causing problems.
Enterococci bacteria become a problem when they cause infection. These infections can occur anywhere in the body. Some common sites include the intestines, the urinary tract, and wounds. For some people, especially those who are weak or ill, these infections can become serious.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci infections are treated with antibiotics—the types of medicines that are normally used to kill bacteria. VRE infections are more difficult to treat than other infections with enterococci because fewer antibiotics are effective against the bacteria.
To find out more go to www.webmd.com and type in VRE. They have a very good article that will probably answer most of your questions. I hope your mother gets better very soon.
2007-02-19 17:33:41 · answer #3 · answered by Joshua'sPond 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an infection.
Enteroccocci are bacteria that are normally present in the human intestines and in the female genital tract and are often found in the environment. These bacteria can sometimes cause infections. Vancomycin is an antibiotic that is often used to treat infections caused by enterococci. In some instances, enterococci have become resistant to this drug and thus are called vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Most VRE infections occur in hospitals.
She won't die- she needs antibiotics.
2007-02-19 17:27:48 · answer #4 · answered by Violet Pearl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know what VRE is but i hope she gets better a dictionary mite help
thats what i do when people say big word
sorry im not much help
2007-02-19 17:32:43 · answer #5 · answered by hiphop_1551 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems like it's an infection of some type thats quite immune to antibiotics. Causes a person with a weak immune system to be easily sick. Here's a link to it's full definition:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_VRE_publicFAQ.html
2007-02-19 17:27:37 · answer #6 · answered by sadeyzluv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use your computer to search for the information. you've got the correct spelling. if you don't understand everything, ask your mom to take you to her next doctor's appointment and bring a list of your questions for the doctor and nurse.
relax and just spend time w/your mom.
2007-02-19 17:24:20 · answer #7 · answered by KitKat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋