infections
Pseudomonas Infections
Treatment ofPseudomonasInfections
Usually antibiotics applied topically, taken by mouth, or given intravenously, depending on where the infection is Swimmer’s earcan be effectively treated, as well as prevented, by irrigating the ears with anacetic acid(vinegar) solution before and after swimming. Or the infection can be treated with a topical antibiotic such as polymyxin applied to the ear. Hot-tub folliculitisusually resolves without treatment. Eye infectionsare treated with highly concentrated antibiotic drops, applied frequently at first. Sometimes antibiotics must be injected directly into the eye. Urinary tract infectionsthat cause symptoms can often be treated withlevofloxacinorciprofloxacin, taken by mouth. If these infections do not cause symptoms, they are usually not treated. Serious infectionsdue toPseudomonas aeruginosaare difficult to treat. Malignant external otitis, internal infections (such as pneumonia or heart valve infection), and blood infections require weeks of antibiotics given intravenously. Usually, one antibiotic, such asceftazidimeorciprofloxacin, is effective. But sometimes a combination of antibiotics is required because many strains, particularly those acquired in health care facilities, are resistant to many antibiotics. Doctors initially choose an antibiotic that is usually effective in their geographic area. They may change the antibiotics after test results indicate which antibiotics are likely to be effective. open-heart surgery to replace the valve plus antibiotic therapy is usually needed ( see Replacing a Heart Valve ). 