A hospital stay could be the cause of a Serratia marcescens.
Bacterial infections must be treated thoroughly and effectively to get an individual back to restored health without complications. Serratia marcescens is a type of bacteria present in the human digestive system, but it can develop into a hard-to-treat infection in the right settings. You could get it from a hospital stay, procedure at a health care facility or even in the shower of your bathroom. It typically affects the urinary tract and respiratory system or results from open wounds. You would need the infection to be drained if it has produced an abscess, cyst or pustule somewhere on the body.
Instructions
1. Seek medical treatment immediately. Serratia marcescens is a serious infection that can affect those with weakened immune systems. It requires a specific diagnosis, selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy because it is resistant to many antibiotics and careful monitoring. The sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome will be.
2. Clean and disinfect the area. A wound needs to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before the area can be drained. This process should be performed by a trained medical professional or surgical technician wearing protective gear such as gloves.
3. Apply a hot compress. Small abscesses or cysts may drain with the application of a hot compress over the affected area. Take a washcloth and soak with very hot water. Apply the compress to the affected area while wearing disposable gloves. You can add light pressure to the compress over the infection. The compress will need to be changed frequently with appropriate disposal of dressings.
4. Incise the area containing the infection. It could manifest as an abscess, cyst, ulcer or a pus-producing wound. An incision should be performed by an appropriate surgeon or health care professional, preferably in an operating room because the patient will likely need anesthesia.
5. Drain the fluid from the infection. Allow any pus to drain out first. Use sterile gauze to soak up blood and fluid from the area. Remove and dispose of these dressings. Fill the opening with clean gauze to collect any remaining drainage.
6. Cover the wound. When a cyst or abscess has been drained, the exposed area must be covered completely and taped or bandaged to keep it from being contaminated. The coverings will need to be changed often and disposed of completely.
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