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, which are the types of medicines 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. What causes a VRE infection? VRE, like many bacteria, can be spread from one person to another through casual contact or through contaminated objects. Most often, VRE is spread from the h
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are a type of bacteria called enterococci that have developed resistance to many antibiotics Opens New Window, 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, which are the types of medicines 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. What causes a VRE infection? VRE, like many bacteria, can be spread from one person to another through casual contact or through contaminated objects. Most often, VRE is