Enterococci are bacteria that are normally present in human intestines 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 cases, the bacteria have become resistant to the antibiotic and are called vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Most VRE infections occur in people in hospitals.
VRE can live in the human intestines without causing disease (called colonization). Sometimes; however, it can be the cause of urinary tract, bloodstream or wound infections.
People who are colonized (bacteria present, but have no symptoms of an infection) with VRE do not usually need treatment. Most people with VRE infections can be treated with antibiotics other than vancomycin. Laboratory testing of the VRE can determine which antibiotics will work.
VRE is often passed from person to person by the hands of caregivers. VRE can get onto a caregiver's hands after they have contact with other people with VRE or after contact with contaminated surfaces. VRE can also be spread directly to people after they touch surfaces that are contaminated with VRE. VRE is not spread through the air by coughing or sneezing.
If someone in a household has VRE, the following are some things that can be done to prevent the spread of VRE:
If you have an infection caused by VRE and treatment is effective, the infection will be gone. Many people who are colonized with VRE remain this way for long periods of time (can be years). Decolonization for people with VRE is not currently recommended. Periodically, you may be screened (tested) for VRE by your health care provider to see if you have gotten rid of the organism without any treatment.
If you have to go to another hospital or need to enter a long-term care facility, you need to let the staff know about your past VRE. You may be screened at the time you are admitted to the facility to update your VRE status and allow appropriate precautions to be put into place.
Revised: 2014-07-16