Pseudomonas

Pseudomonas is a bacterium (sometimes called a bug or germ) that is often found in soil and water. It is more likely to infect people who are hospitalised and have underlying health problems, particularly the very young and the elderly. It rarely causes illness outside hospital patients.

What infections does it cause?

It can cause a variety of infections, including:

pneumonia (chest infections)
urinary tract infections
wound infections
septicaemia (blood infection)
infection of the gastro-intestinal system

Pseudomonas may also be found on the skin of some people and not necessarily cause infection. This is known as colonisation. For these people a risk assessment is undertaken and treatment may be given in some cases if the person is at risk of developing an infection.

Who is vulnerable to Pseudomonas infection?

Pseudomonas rarely causes infection in people who are healthy. It is more likely to infect patients who are already very sick. It can cause a range of infections, particularly among immunocompromised people. This includes:

people who have HIV
cancer patients
pregnant women
people with severe burns
people with diabetes
people with cystic fibrosis

How is Pseudomonas infection discovered?

Screening is done if someone is suspected of having a Pseudomonas infection. This is usually done by taking swabs from different areas of the body. The areas swabbed may involve:

nose/ throat secretions
armpit
groin/ perineum
sometimes may include the navel (belly button)

You can find out more about screening at the page below:

Screening for Pseudomonas

How is Pseudomonas infection treated?

The test results help hospital staff to decide how to treat the infection. Infections caused by Pseudomonas are treated using an appropriate antibiotic.

Pseudomonas colonisation (when it is found only on the skin) may not necessarily require treatment.

How can Pseudomonas be prevented from spreading?

Routine strict infection prevention and control measures, such as regular hand washing and cleaning of equipment, are the most effective methods of stopping the spread.

If more than one patient gets an infection caused by Pseudomonas bacteria in a hospital ward or unit, a risk assessment is generally completed. Samples from commonly used water sources/ sinks and medical equipment may be collected and tested, because Pseudomonas likes to grow in moist environments.

It may be necessary to keep patients who have Pseudomonas on their skin or who have developed a Pseudomonas infection in an area where their contact with other patients is limited. This is to ensure that the infection is not spread between patients.

Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene is the most important way of preventing spread. It is important to wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after contact with someone who is known to have pseudomonas infection or colonisation. Then thoroughly dry your hands with paper towels.

Hand sanitisers or alcohol hand rubs should be used in addition to washing your hands with soap and water. The application of a hand sanitiser/ hand-rub will ensure that any traces of pseudomonas in the water used for hand washing is eradicated.