Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria (germ) commonly found in the environment, such as in soil and water. Of the many different species of Pseudomonas, the one that causes the most infection in humans is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections of the blood, lungs (pneumonia) or other parts of the body after surgery.

These bacteria are constantly looking for new ways to avoid the effects of antibiotics used to treat the infections they cause. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria stop responding to antibiotics designed to kill them. If they develop resistance to various types of antibiotics, these germs can become multi-drug resistant.

Who is at risk by Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

Those most at risk are hospitalized patients, especially those:

On breathing machines (ventilators)
With devices such as catheters
With wounds from surgery or burns

How Pseudomonas aeruginosa is it spread?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa lives in the environment and can spread to people in healthcare settings when they are exposed to water or soil contaminated with these bacteria. Resistant strains of the germ can also be spread from person to person in healthcare settings through contaminated hands, equipment, or surfaces.

How can you avoid by Pseudomonas aeruginosa getting an infection?

Patients and caregivers should:

Keep their hands clean to avoid getting sick and spreading germs that can cause infections
Wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, particularly before and after caring for wounds or touching a medical device
Remind healthcare providers and caregivers to clean their hands before touching the patient or handling medical devices
Allow healthcare staff to clean their room daily when in a healthcare setting

Healthcare providers should pay close attention to recommended infection control practices, including hand hygiene and environmental cleaning (eg, cleaning of patient rooms and shared equipment) to reduce the risk of spreading these germs to patients.

Health care facilities should have water management plans (see Reducing Risks from Water) that help ensure water quality and reduce exposure to potentially harmful germs such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

How are Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections treated?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are generally treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are becoming more difficult to treat in people exposed to healthcare settings such as hospitals or nursing homes due to increased resistance to antibiotics.

To determine the best antibiotic to treat a particular infection, healthcare providers will send a sample (often called a culture) to a lab and test any bacteria growing against a combination of antibiotics to determine which ones are effective against the germs. The provider will then choose an antibiotic based on the antibiotic's activity and other factors, such as potential side effects or interactions with other medications. For some multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, treatment options may be limited.

Signs and Symptoms of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Symptoms of P. aeruginosa vary based on the type of infection. It may cause:

Infection of the lungs (pneumonia)
Fever and chills
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Tiredness
Cough, sometimes with yellow, green, or bloody mucus

Urinary tract infections can cause:

Strong urge to urinate frequently
Painful urination
Unpleasant odor in urine
Cloudy or bloody urine
Pain in the pelvic area

Wound infections can cause:

Inflamed wound site
Fluid leakage from wound

Ear infections (like swimmer’s ear) can cause:

Ear pain
Decreased hearing
Redness or swelling of outer ear
Fever