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What is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?

Tricia Christensen
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Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 295,656
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacteria that lives in soil, water, and even in environments like hot tubs. For most healthy people, this bacteria seldom poses a problem. Occasionally people will develop conditions like hot tub rash, and swimmer’s ear, which may be due to contact with these germs. These conditions can sometimes resolve without treatment, or with minimal treatment, like antibiotic drops for swimmer’s ear.

Unfortunately, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is much more dangerous to certain populations, including those who have weak immune systems, the elderly, and those who have been hospitalized for long periods of time. People with cystic fibrosis and with full-blown AIDS frequently die from infections created by the bacteria. Those who have undergone chemotherapy, have had transplants, or have any of a variety of immunosuppressed conditions are far more at risk for developing bacterial infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and because this bacteria is relatively resistant to most antibacterial medications, infection can be deadly, particularly when it becomes infection of the lungs or bloodstream.

Doctors and medical researchers often refer to this bacteria as a blue-green pus bacteria, and/or a gram-negative bacteria. The first reference is to the pus, which can show blue to green colors, and the second refers to the Gram method for staining bacteria to determine what type it is. When samples of gram-negative bacteria, particularly those that are considered aerobic, are stained, they resist color and typically show up in slides under the microscope as a pink color. Aerobic bacteria refers to bacteria that needs oxygen to survive, which Pseudomonas aeruginosa has in ample amounts, particularly in hospital settings.

As mentioned, even though this bacteria tends to live all around us, it is most dangerous to those who are in weakened physical states or have immunodeficiencies. Despite hospital cleaning and safety the bacteria may aggressively survive in basic hospital equipment, like masks used to give oxygen, breathing apparatus, or catheters for urine. Typically most common infections induced by the bacteria are of the bladder, lungs or bloodstream. Inability to produce normal immune reactions to the presence of the bacteria can mean this germ can easily result in extremely grave health conditions.

Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is usually through intravenous multiple antibiotic combinations, and it unfortunately does not always work. However, there is hope in this field, which may ultimately put an end to the suffering this bacteria may cause. Preliminary studies on a Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine are underway, and although these studies have not yet concluded that a currently developed vaccine is completely effective, early results do show that the vaccine can potentially reduce number of infections, as of mid-2007. These early results do not show complete protection from infection, but they are promising as to a reduction, when compared with a placebo group. Such a vaccine could indeed be a boon to the medical community and all those who are at particular risk for life-threatening infections from this bacteria.

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The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a The Health Board contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.
Discussion Comments
By anon999742 — On Mar 07, 2018

I have been diagnosed with this awful bacteria, Pseudomonas in my lungs. I had been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis about 3 yrs ago and it is minor. However, this PA is awful stuff. I have already had Cipro for 14 days and it hasn't done anything but lower the amount of chills during the night. I am still sick. I am 71 and don't know if I can wait for a med to be developed that will work for me. I read the two comments about colloidal silver and I may talk to some herbalists that carry it. My acupuncturist had mentioned it to me too and I respect his judgment. Does anyone know the negative aspects of colloidal silver? Thank you.

By anon992743 — On Sep 29, 2015

P. aeruginosa vaccine injection is available in China currently.

By anon963584 — On Jul 30, 2014

To those who overcame the tendon problems after Ciprofloxacin: How did you do it? -- Mark

By mardi1046 — On Jul 07, 2014

I have an antibiotic resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa sinus infection diagnosis. I have a long history of sinus infections with antibiotic treatments and sinus surgeries. I also have a suppressed immunity system. I went through a two-week, three times a day IV antibiotic series. The infection came back and the infectious disease doc said he had nothing more for me. The many posts here verify that this is one nasty infection with a poor prognosis. I want to get a second opinion. Thoughts? Do any of you think there is any purpose in pursuing a second opinion?

By anon947083 — On Apr 24, 2014

Is Pseudomonas aerugionosa contagious? If I'm visiting my mother-in-law, who is in the hospital in ICU (she has a severe PA infection in her lungs for which she is being ventilated for), what is my risk as an otherwise healthy person?

By anon356300 — On Nov 23, 2013

It was posted only once above but the solution to a Pseudomonas infection is collodial silver.

I've battled Pseudomonas aeruginosa in my lungs for 40 years due to an immune deficiency. I've had to take big gun antibiotics like Tobramycin, Levaquin, Doxycycline, Gentamycin and others as many as 20 times a year (200 days), rotating in 10 day rounds. I've also taken very expensive immune serum injections by IV every two weeks for 25 years.

I've dabbled with colloidal silver a couple of times in the past for short periods, but the 'blue man' story scared me off.

Last year, I did more research on the blue man (Paul Karason) and discovered he was making his own colloidal silver but he added salt to the process which made it silver chloride -- no longer pure colloidal silver. Plus, he was drinking a quart a day for years!

In June 2012, I decided to try colloidal silver again. I took 6 cc twice a day, nebulized into my lungs. Within three or four days, my lungs were more clear than they had been in years. It's been a year and a half now and I have been antibiotic free and now immune serum free (I stopped the IVs in August).

I also started drinking up to an ounce a day if I feel my lungs or elsewhere in my system may be getting an infection. These small amounts of pure colloidal silver pose zero risk of turning me blue and are well within even the EPA's standard for human consumption of silver

I'm 61 years old and I have defied all of the doctors who told me when I was 42 that I'd be dead in five years if I didn't get a lung transplant.

Colloidal silver. Learn it. Use it. Love it. Start your research online. Don't buy the machine until you've tried it for a while and are ready to take the next step (I still haven't bought one). Just read the massive amounts of info and learn. Search other sites to expand that learning.

I buy my supply online. I've been averaging about one 8 oz. bottle a month. Brick and mortar stores will charge $30-$40 for 8 oz, but I get it online for about $13, but with discounts and buying in bulk, you can bring the cost under $9/ 8 oz. $9 a month to save your life? What do you have to lose?

By rusty100 — On Jul 19, 2013

Has anybody ever experienced having a bunion operation and catching pseudomanas aeruginosa and it went into my bone. I have had several operations and just hopefully had my final op and had bone removed and three weeks of IV medications and another three weeks of oral meds. Any info would be appreciated.

By anon268276 — On May 13, 2012

What is its odor in vivo and vitro?

By anon241330 — On Jan 18, 2012

I have a skin abscess. Pus forms under the skin and the docs say reason is a Pseudomonas infection. No treatment is giving me relief.

By jacknbridge — On Jan 10, 2012

I sustained a pseudomonas infection after two failed reconstructive surgeries (after a mastectomy, chemo and radiation). A second implant was placed put in place during the surgery and the first infected implant was taken out. There were no cultures taken at that time so we did not know what type of infection we were dealing with and I went through several rounds of antibiotics.

After the third surgery where the implant was removed I was diagnosed with a pseudomonas infection. Is it possible that I had this infection all along, or would the infection I had grow into a pseudomonas infection?

By yme — On Sep 01, 2011

I had a knee replacement eight months ago and I still cannot walk or bend as usual. And my knee still is in pain. I went for a cbc test and my results were elevated. Could this be coming from a UTI or is it definitely infection in my knee?

By anon187407 — On Jun 17, 2011

@deedee051, Post 132: WOMAN will you just look for me on facebook. Go to the Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) page and say you're from the wise geek page and you're looking for me? Pretty please? I have ovarian cysts, well one; it's on the right. We thought I would have to have it removed but, they ended up just putting me on birth control pills. I worry though. Please though, will you look on facebook for me?

By deedee051 — On Jun 17, 2011

Well here I am again. This time it is something else! I went for my yearly, had a lump, knew it was a cyst, but was sent for a diagnostic mammogram, and luckily so, because they found some tiny little microscopic specks and said it needed to be biopsied, so I had what is called a stereotactic core biopsy. No fun. Then, when they took the picture to see if the clip was in place, that they leave as a marker for future reference, they saw more of the little specks farther back, so again I had to get on that awful table with my boob hanging through a hole, and go through it again. They took the pix, and no clip. It had been sucked back out with the device that puts it in, So they peeled off the glue and put the clip in, took pix and it was there.

The next day I was called with the results. I have atypical hyperplasia -- pre-cancer. Now I go to see a surgeon on Monday, to find out what they are going to do next. I feel horrible! For a week I have just zoned out. I know we are not given more than we can take, but I have had it! My lungs, my bladder and now this. What next? Everyone says to me wow, you are so strong, and I wonder if they only knew what is going on inside me. I think I am going crazy sometimes. Hope you all are doing better than I am.

By anon186941 — On Jun 16, 2011

LindaSS, Post 40: You said people with C.F. don't eat mucous producing foods. That's not true. They need to maintain weight and they eat a ton of cheese. Cheese = dairy and that could produce extra mucous in people who are sensitive to it. There is no such thing as mucous-producing foods. It only causes problems for people who are sensitive or allergic to these foods to begin with. By the way, I see a Cystic Fibrosis doctor.

By anon183672 — On Jun 06, 2011

I agree, I don't like being a student test dummy. I'm not up for the mistakes. Good lord. I sure hope you get better soon. I am so tired so this is very short. I hope you have a good day.

By anon183531 — On Jun 05, 2011

Please excuse my spelling errors on these posts. I need to look more carefully. Oh well.

I also was on azithromycin three days a week for a while but my body had side effects so I quit. The student nurse came in with her teacher and was a nervous wreck.

I was in an isolation room this was the first time she had hooked a patient up with iv meds. She kept dropping things and touching things and the teacher would say "that's contaminated now" so they would have to leave and come back. She dropped the tubing on the floor. It was ridiculous, but I was being a good sport at the time. She finally hooked me up and teacher didn't check the tubing. My iv flushed OK but I don't believe she wiped off the port connection or something. They left and the iv machine went off and the medicine was leaking all over and my vein stopped working.

The regular nurse came in and saw the student didn't hook up the medicine correctly so it was pouring into me! She was even scared to tell the teacher because of her attitude. Now I am stuck with a staff infection. I have never had one, and all my other iv sights were fine.

I have filed a formal complaint about it. Practice on someone who is not so sick and immune system is weak! I want to make sure this doesn't happen to someone else!

By anon183299 — On Jun 04, 2011

@anon182949: I hope the Azithromycin helps your staph infection. I actually take it three days a week at a low dose because it helps prevent mucous from sticking to the lungs and also prevents me from getting other "bugs" in my lungs. I've been on it five years now I think, more or less. I would be on their case about being treated. I would also go after them for the student nurse.

I hate going to the hospital for IVs and having to babysit. Last time I was there I had to flip out because the idiot nurse almost hung the wrong meds on my IV pole. I was very angry. The head of the hospital knows who I am now. The other nurses know me too. I also request one girl in particular to put in my picc line now as well. I don't like students working on me at all. Not even Interns. I'm in southern California but my husband is from Marin. We are considering taking a trip up there eventually, to see his family but to also go to Stafford because they are gathering information on people there with my lung condition called PCD.

Keep me posted and I hope you feel better soon. Stinky medical field. It really makes me mad you got staff from a student nurse, what happened exactly? Did they not wear gloves when changing your IV, drop the needle on the floor or what?

By anon182949 — On Jun 03, 2011

I have the staph infection at my iv sight. It was contaminated by a student nurse! I believe it is cellulitis. I have pains in my lymph nodes and got a severe earache. My doctor my put me on a Z-pak for six days. I live in Redding Ca. If I get any worse I am heading back to my doctor in the Bay Area.

By anon182788 — On Jun 03, 2011

deedee051 - go to the facebook page again and just make a post that you go on the wisegeek forum. I'll find you.

By deedee051 — On Jun 02, 2011

My lung doc said because I was having low grade fevers, and chills. It could be bladder infection also, and so they sent it out for a three day culture, and it came back saying I had staph of some variety, so I took 10 days of zyvox, and it ended on Sat. and with Mon being a holiday I could not get back to doc to give another specimen to be tested, but on Sat. I still had the low fever, and the other symptoms that go along with bladder infections, so I knew something was still going on there. The dip test showed infection still, but I will know the culture in a couple more days.

I don't know why the doctor told someone that if they had had MRSA they would be dead. Not necessarily so, because I had MRSA a few years ago. I guess I caught that being in a hospital. I know that it is very dangerous and you must be treated. At that time because I am resistant to most antibiotics, they treated me with the then new drug Zyvox. At that time, that stuff cost 66.00 a pill and I had to take 42 of them, but then the drug companies could assist you, and I ended up getting it for only $5.00. That was a blessing.

Yes, I saw that added notation from the owners of this web site about the protection of everyone's privacy, and that is why they won't allow names or contact information to be passed on here.

Seems there could be another way of helping people if they want to contact each other, but I don't know how they could or would do that. I guess it would be too much trouble to as, and get both parties permission and then pass the information along to the interested people.

So until something changes, I guess this is the only way for us to communicate. I have tried going to facebook and looking at that site, and still could not find you. Take care, till the next time we visit again. Bye.

By anon182501 — On Jun 02, 2011

Now that I think about it, you're the second person in a month I've heard of with cellulitis. My friend's daughter had it on her foot and I have also noticed that quite a few people around me have had different bacterial infections.

A friend's dad had bacterial meningitis out of the blue, and another friend had a bacterial infection in his mouth. This all happened in the same month. I just felt it was strange. I caught pseudomonas six years ago. Pseudomonas is different from staph. Did you have lung problems prior to this cellulitis?

By anon182499 — On Jun 02, 2011

No, I don't have CF, I have a different lung condition called PCD. Where in Cali are you? I am in Cali too.

By anon182244 — On Jun 01, 2011

Also I am a carrier for CF. Are any of you?

By anon182240 — On Jun 01, 2011

I live in California. I went to the ER on Sunday because I felt so horrible. They said I had MRSA, but my doctor said he says it is cellulitis. He said I would have died if I have MRSA.

So how did you know it was in your bladder? I am so scared the infection is going to spread. I have a fever of 100 and chills but my lungs aren't burning so I don't think it is from them. Thanks everyone for writing. It helps so much!

By anon182105 — On Jun 01, 2011

deedee051: It won't let you put anything on here anyway. I already tried a few times and creative ways to give you my name but I noticed the people running the site have taken it out. Guess they don't want people to help one another. They shouldn't have this site up if they are going to be like this.

I'm in California and I have Medicare. My doctor got me on Medi-cal when I couldn't get regular insurance, I think out there it's Medicaid. I am also on SSD. I recently got married and the husband makes too much for me to keep Medi-cal so, I now have Blue Cross Anthem via his job. I forgot to mention with the Medicare, I have Humana drug coverage. So for now, I currently have the Medicare with Humana drug coverage and Anthem Blue Cross.

With Anthem, I had to go through them with paying for the new drug Cayston, because it's too new and not on Medicare's formulary. It cost us about $300 for a 6K drug but then every other month after that I only pay $50.

As for the TOBI, I don't know how that will work under my new insurance because I haven't had it ordered for me yet. Go on facebook and look up the The Official PCD Foundation Page and mention this site. That way we can chat and you will get a lot of great information from everyone else on there as well. People all over the USA talk about their situations. PCD is the breathing problem I have but, at least we can finally talk better.

By deedee051 — On May 31, 2011

I live in Florida. I don't know how you would find me there, because I just don't feel comfortable stating any personal contact info in here, as I see most people even post anon, but I get notified whenever there is a posting in here.

I go to the doc tomorrow for another urine culture to see if the staff is cleared up in the bladder, but I feel it is still there, and they want to clear that up before starting the different antibiotic for my lungs. It all just seems so hopeless sometimes. I wonder if I am ever going to be well or even a close to it again in my lifetime. Hope you are OK. Be blessed.

By anon181890 — On May 31, 2011

I don't k now the name of the vaccine. i don't think it has a name yet. I just heard through the grapevine that there was one being developed.

Also, when I was on TOBI I did fine. It was inhaled, not IV, and I was starting to become resistant to it so we stopped and I took something else. I was given another culture and it showed I was able to take TOBI again so when I did, I too couldn't breathe. I've never not been able to breathe and that was so scary. i haven't tried it since but in two weeks I will try to inhale it again. I am nervous.

By anon181888 — On May 31, 2011

@deedee051 - I really wish you could find me on facebook. I will do what I can to help you. I am also on Medicare, what state are you in? If we could talk and not on here that would help a great deal.

By anon181730 — On May 30, 2011

I was wondering what is the nane of the vaccine, and who is doing the research? I would like to take part in finding a cure and would test it out.

By anon181712 — On May 30, 2011

I tried the TOBI and it made me worse. I really was short of breath. I now have a staff infection at one of my IV spots along with a blot clot. So giving me lovenox shots in the stomach did not prevent a blood clot. I am taking clindamycin four times a day. I feel like crap!

By deedee051 — On May 25, 2011

Well it makes lots of sense. I did not say that because I did not have CF I could not get the medicine. I could get it yesterday, if I had the money to pay the copay. The pharmacy has told me it would be over $800 a month, and I cannot afford that, and I don't have any supplemental insurance, and I have not found any programs out there who will assist me, because I am on medicare.

If you have been able to do so, please please tell me how you did it, and what agency to contact, and I will. My doctor's office is and has tried everything they could also, but they also know my financial situation, and what I cannot do. If anyone out here knows a way to help me get assistance please let me know. Thanks to all.

By anon179899 — On May 24, 2011

I don't have C.F. and I get TOBI and even the new drug that was geared for C.F. What you are saying doesn't make sense. Your doctor must not be fighting too well for you then.

By deedee051 — On May 24, 2011

I forgot to login with my last post, but I did include today's date, so now you will know it is me. I read a post from someone, who stated she tried to go to several doctors, and the mayo clinic, and another doctor would call them and they in turn refused to see her and or treat her.

I would find out what that doctor is telling them. Something does not sound right there. Getting the inhaled Tobi is not an easy thing. as I stated earlier it is very expensive. It is used to treat people with CF, but what cleared me to take it was having all the other diseases that one with CF has, and even then, I can't get it, because of the money, and our government intervention and not allowing drug companies to assist those of us who have gov. insurance or any private insurance.

I don't have a supplement to my medicare. If I did I would not have these problems. So I just sit in limbo, not knowing when I am going to get another severe infection and die.

By anon179881 — On May 24, 2011

Well here I am again. I hoped to be rid of the PA by now, but I cannot get the medicine my pulmonologist wanted me to use to keep me from getting worse and or kill it.

I don't know up from down anymore. Inhaled Tobi is what he wanted me to be on, but it is extremely expensive -- about 4,000.00 a month, and medicare pays 80 percent, but will leave me with $800 or $900 a month and cannot do that. The companies have plans to give it to those with no insurance, but the government won't allow them to help those of us who have an insurance!

It makes no sense to me. All I know is I cannot be treated with a medicine I need. My last culture showed it was heavy growth, and then on top of that, I had a UTI I thought, but it cultured out staph! Wonderful, at least I could get the expensive zyvox to treat that one. So after it goes away, then they plan to attack the PA with Cipro, because in the culture lab, they stated it would respond to cipro.

So we will try that one. I was never able to find one of you ladies on the facebook site. I wish there was a better way of communicating with each other, but

I sometimes don't know if I am reading current postings, so will put the date on mine. --Dee

By anon179648 — On May 24, 2011

@anon178891 and anon163583: are you sure you both don't have a lung condition called PCD? That's what I have.

By anon179646 — On May 24, 2011

I am also on facebook on the Pseudomonas page or you can find me on the Dude wheres my dynine (Spelling?) which is a page regarding my lung condition. Just say you were on this wise geek and I'll say hi and fill you in on what I know about PA.

By anon179643 — On May 24, 2011

I wouldn't get a transplant unless you are on oxygen and doing horribly. I have had PA for six years and they have a drug that is in phase three trials. I think it's supposed to be able to kill the PA in the lungs. Also, they are trying to make a vaccine so that if one day we can get rid of it, we can also get a vaccine so we don't get it again. I can't wait and cross my fingers. I am so done with having this in my lungs.

I too, had a "regular" pulmo tell me I would need a transplant in five years, and six years later and I am fine. No need and I am not even on oxygen. I don't think "Regular" Pulmos know how to treat PA correctly.

By anon178891 — On May 22, 2011

Wow I was so excited today when I found this site. I have had PA for seven years now. I just got out of the hospital after 11 days. It is so great knowing I am not alone in this fight. I too, started with aspergillus in my teens then I had surgery on a broken arm in my 40s and all of the sudden I had PA. It did take going to several lung doctors and infectious disease doctors to diagnose it. It is a miserable disease. The doctors also told me to quit work and get rid of stress. I have to limit my interactions with people because of my weakened immune system. My doctor says its time to start looking into a double lung transplant. I am not so sure about it though.

By anon170773 — On Apr 27, 2011

Bless you all! I got it from a sinus surgery about 2.5 years ago. It is in my sinus's and now has moved into my nasal bone. I have done all the oral meds. And now three IV meds in a picc line. Took it out, with in a month I am positive again. I do not wish this on my worse enemy! They really do need to find more info about preventing and curing. My the Lord Bless you all. This is a fight for your life and no one really understands. I am really glad I read this post. Although I would never be glad that anyone has to suffer this way. Good luck to each of you and thanks for the info!

By anon169409 — On Apr 21, 2011

We can get on Face Book. There is a Pseudomonas site. would be great for us all to discuss and get to know different treatments.

By anon163625 — On Mar 28, 2011

DeDe, if you're on facebook, look up the PCD foundation in there and you can find me.

By anon163583 — On Mar 28, 2011

Oh I wish I could have your email, and be able to chat with you that way. You really know your stuff. I agree with everything you are saying, because it is exactly what I have found doing my own research, and with the help of my pulmonologist.

Yes, I had other problems years ago. I was born with asthma, but in the 80’s is when I started to get worse. I got the aspergillosis from living in this climate and environment. That allowed me to get one infection after the other constantly. That gave me the bronchiectasis, and then the pulmonary fibrosis came. Now, this past year is when the pseudo was discovered. My doc has always been very diligent in treating me, and I have had many broncs where he did wash out my lungs, and of course did cultures, and whatever else was needed. It was not him who put me on the primaxin -- it was the infectious disease doctor he had called in to see if he had any other thoughts and means of treating me. But, he was supposed to work together with my lung doc, and I do not believe he did so!

My doc was upset when he found he had been giving me the primaxin alone. He told his nurse, you know I never treat pseudo with only one antibiotic. I always use two, and he did. The first time I stayed home, and did it, I was on Zosyn, and Tobramycin. I think the ID doc dropped the ball with me this time, and let it go so long that it caused the colonization!

I feel sure that I will get to try the inhaled tobi after I fill out my financial part, they will see I cannot pay my part (900.00 a month) and they will let me have it. Medicare is going to pay them 3100.00 a month for it so surely they will help me. I just hope and pray I will be able to tolerate it and it will work for me. The nurse told me that a lot of people cannot take it, because their systems just won’t let them. And yes, I will be on it a month, and then off a month. I think that is so you do not become resistant to it, too. I hope and pray you are doing well also. Let me hear from you soon. Thanks, Deedee051

By anon163433 — On Mar 27, 2011

Also, I've never heard of Primaxin for pseudomonas. I know, TOBI, Tobramycin IV, Ceftazidime IV, Cayston and Colistin. I've used all of them. I take prednisone on and off. Right now I am taking Cipro. You can also take Levaquin but, the inhaled antibiotics are best and like I said before, rotating the drugs so you don't become resistant is key.

Get cultures every six months or more if you're feeling sick. They are working on new drugs to offer. I hope soon a drug will work to break the cell wall of this bacteria and can eradicate it.

By anon163431 — On Mar 27, 2011

Try to look for the PCD foundation web site. They have people there who can help point you in the right direction and send you to people who you can talk to. I hope that helps. Even if you don't have PCD, you have pseudo and they are very informative.

By anon163429 — On Mar 27, 2011

dee dee 051: Did you have any lung conditions prior to the pseudo? I am 31 and have had it for four years now. There are a few drugs and they must rotate you on them so you don't become resistant.

I am on a new drug called Cayston but, if you don't have C.F., it's hard to get the insurance to pay for it. It's as expensive as TOBI. All those inhaled antibiotics are expensive. I wish this web site would allow people on here to contact me.

I was born with a rare lung condition called PCD, which means the cilia in my lungs don't work, or in my sinuses so I have pseudo in my sinuses as well. I see a C.F. Dr as well. they should be able to help you much better then a regular Pulmo. You should be better off with a C.F. doctor.

Glad your doctor feels he should treat you as if you have C.F. I didn't have a doctor good enough to do so and then I was so sick. By the time I found the PCD web site and people who know a thing or two about it all, the bacteria colonized.

I am mad that the old doctor refused to culture me, telling me I didn't have insurance and it was too expensive. All I can do is deal with it now. Not easy. I'm still going strong. I've known people who have had it for years. Don't give up.

By deedee051 — On Mar 27, 2011

It has been a while since I posted. I was in the hospital for the last 14 days in February. I had also in infectious disease doctor on my case. They put me on Primaxin for about 30 days. I had the pic line again in hospital, and came home with it. When I went back to my lung doc for my follow up appointment, I was told that the pseudo had colonized, and I would not get better.

However, he would begin treating me as if I had CF. He has ordered the inhaled tobi, which I have to do some financial papers because I cannot afford my part that medicare does not pay. It is extremely expensive. I am also getting a vest to vibrate the secretions out of the lungs.

I am on oxygen almost 24/7 now. I am just so sick most of the time. I run low grade fevers and I am also taking prednisone which is a drug I hate. It makes me a different person. It is hard to take it, but I must, they say.

I just have concluded that being as it has colonized, there is not a lot more can be done, but I am not ready to give up, and I will stay here as long as my Lord will allow me. I just hope I don't have to suffer. But his will not mine will be done. Bless you all.

By anon163284 — On Mar 27, 2011

I have Bronchitis, with the P.A. I now see I have it continuously. I live in the country so treatment and knowledge are not common. At least i am tested often and treated with Ciprofloxin (don't think it is working now) and puffers.

My husband does postural drainage every day when I'm bad. I use a pep bottle and nebulizer, keep as fit as possible, eat well. I also do Tai Chi, which i feel does help.

I am now in the fourth year and know i am getting worse. I take longer to recover. I am making the best of each day. Planning your life ahead to have some goal to look forward to, and seeing joy in each day helps.When you are so sick, just sitting in the sun may help. I live with the hope that i will get better. Always try to keep positive.

By anon154354 — On Feb 20, 2011

I have been trying to get some one in the medical profession to listen to me about the chronic cough and recent diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. I did not have this issue until after the sinus surgery I had in November of this year. I have continued to get worse and worse and now can barely do anything that I used to do. The quality of my life has changed 1000 percent! I can barely breathe and no longer have the stamina to do anything I did before.

By anon151723 — On Feb 11, 2011

deedee051 - You should look up the PCD foundation web site. People there know exactly what you are going through. email them there and she can tell you web sites with all of us on them to talk to.

By anon151719 — On Feb 11, 2011

anon123389: Are you sure you don't have Primary Ciliary Dysinesia a.k.a. PCD? That's what I have and it's often misdiagnosed as asthma or bronchi.

By anon151718 — On Feb 11, 2011

It depends on how long he has had it. Cipro won't clear it up. You most likely need to have him in inhaled Tobi.

By anon151218 — On Feb 10, 2011

My son was just diagnosed with pseudomonas of the lungs. He has Cerebral Palsy and lots of secretions. We are currently doing a round of Cipro for 14 days. I hope this clears it up!

By anon149830 — On Feb 05, 2011

So far the companies that have developed the vaccines have been reluctant to go past stage three trials at best. Reasons include the cost to bring to the market etc. It appears that a vaccine is a reality but still a long way off until governments involve itself in ensuring its delivery.

By anon140836 — On Jan 08, 2011

I have just been diagnosed with PA in my urine. I am being referred to a specialist, but I would like some information from others who have PA in their urine. anyone? --bw

By anon133299 — On Dec 10, 2010

I have been suffering with an abscess in the outer ear canal which has absolute agony for the last five weeks. After several courses of antibiotics I was referred to the ENT who took a swab and it was identified as PA. Anyone who is suffering from this the best treatment is ear drops, namely Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride drops! Hope this helps someone who doesn't have to go through the same agony I have just had to endure!

By anon130216 — On Nov 27, 2010

Is PA is also a normal flora of our body?

By anon123389 — On Nov 01, 2010

I just learned that I have Pseudomonas aeruginosa in my lungs. I have mild brachiectisis. I have had lots of mucus in the past, but was misdiagnosed as asthma. I finally have a pulmonologist with an aggressive attitude. I am on Tobi. Is there any hope at all of getting totally rid of PA?

By deedee051 — On Oct 28, 2010

It appears that anon16816 post most of the information here. Thanks. I have been suffering with this blasted PA for six months now, and my doc is an excellent pulmonologist. However, he did try many bouts of oral and I must have had a very bad case; it would not even change the color of the sputum! I just got sicker and sicker.

Finally, he sent me to the hospital to have a picc line inserted, and started me on 10 days of antibiotics: five days of Zosyn, and Tobramycin, then five more days of Tobra. Then I got blood work, and then another 10 days of oral cipro.

On the seventh day of the IVs I noticed I almost stopped coughing up the sputum, and then it did indeed change back to normal color. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is killed!

I also suffer with ABPA! Wonderful disease I acquired after moving to Florida, and because I already had scarred lungs from prior infections, and it took up residence in my lungs for life!

I take sporanox to maintain and keep that under control. It took a while to get the diagnosis, and then to get the treatment that worked for me.

I was diagnosed with ABPA when I was 38 years old, and I am now 59. The PA I have had twice this year, or else once and it never was fully killed off.

Every year at least he does bronchoscopies on me, and cleans out the lungs, and takes more cultures, and aspergillosis, and pseudo. was what grew this last time. He also does an IGE blood test, which is always off the charts.

I just feel like I am going to get one too many of these infections, and that is going to be the end of me. Oh yeah, I also, got MRSA on my last visit as an in patient in a hospital! That was why I was terrified to be put in hospital and have my IV therapy. I would most likely come out with some other bug I did not have going in there. So, I got it approved to do home health care, and they brought it all out to the house, and showed my husband how to administer the IV, and left it all on us!

I hope that I am well enough to discontinue the picc line tomorrow when I go for the blood draw. It does get uncomfortable after being in the arm so long. Please respond to me. I will enjoy talking with someone who understands what we go through.

By anon117273 — On Oct 09, 2010

I have it because of a cartilage ear piercing. I was in the hospital for three days on an IV and now I am sent home with Cipro. The past two days I have been coughing from deep in my chest. Has it spread to my lungs? Please help me, I'm terrified. I don't want it in my lungs forever.

By anon112267 — On Sep 19, 2010

I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis which in itself lowers the immune system. I had recent back surgery and not a month later, the lower half of my incision broke open. Now several months later, a test was done on the secretions coming from the wound and I have pseudomonas aeruginosa. I am on cipro, and have to stay away from one of my ra meds do to the reaction. I am in pain but if it makes me well, it will be worth it. I hope i will get better.

By anon106498 — On Aug 25, 2010

and usually, if it is in your sinuses, most likely it is in your lungs, and you should get a sputum culture to be safe, so you can get it before it builds that cell wall.

By anon106497 — On Aug 25, 2010

Once again, I will inform people that there are certain drugs that will work against PA, not all antibiotic drugs will. I know this because I had a lung doctor who put me on whatever he had each time I had a bout of illness. he refused to culture me.

I found another doctor who is a Cystic Fibrosis doctor (C.F. patients get PA a lot and they are the best doctors to help take care of you if you have a lung PA infection) and that is when I found out the drugs the other doctor put me on were not specifically for PA and that I could have become resistant against those drugs if I had not found a new doctor, let alone die because I wasn't being treated correctly.

Tobi, Tobramycin, cipro, ceftazidime, and there is also a new drug out on the market which I am having a hard time getting, those are some of the drugs that work against PA.

PA can be treated and you might be able to get rid of it if it is non-mucoid, that means the bacteria has not formed a cell wall which protects it from these drugs, which is why I have had it for so long, I have mucoid PA and the drugs can not break that cell wall. They are currently working on how the bacteria communicates with one another so that way if they can turn off the communication the drugs can kill the bacteria.

By anon106365 — On Aug 25, 2010

i am a 43 year old female who has had asthma since i was a kid. i have had a "low tide" smell in my nose along with no other sense of smell for six years. i have also had numerous sinus infections, finding out recently i have PA.

i do not think it is in my lungs but have a clean, healthy diet and have recently been on avelox for one month. i live in hawaii. Is a tropical environment worse for PA. any advice from a specialist who deals with this?

By anon104516 — On Aug 17, 2010

Responding to post 74: I used a neti pot and flushed my sinuses with salt water. My lungs had it bad.

Iwent on quinline drugs, one course for over a month (Levaquin with another drug that i can't remember, but it kills the hibernating PA,) until i had problems with tendons and had to stop.

I also ate a diet that reduced inflammation (tons of veggies and fruits, V8 juice) and tons of water. Interestingly, I was low on D3 (found out by a lab test because I had osteoporosis. The doctor was giving me 50,000 IU a week for eight weeks for that) but I think the vit D3 (along with fish oil and K to absorb the vit D3) and magnesium reduced my inflammation as well (along with liquid vitamins/minerals).

I cut out all cheese/dairy (increased salmon to weekly, no mammals, some chicken, majorly decreased animal protein and ate primarily vegetables/fruits).

The mucus decreased to zero in both my sinuses and lungs and basically dried up.

I started exercising every day playing pickleball (like tennis but smaller court a person of 60 like myself can handle running start and stop for three hours). I've been very healthy with clear lungs and sinuses for a year now.

Taking away the mucus by reducing inflammation and pumping my body full of vitamins/minerals (especially the D3), water, and exercise to really breathe. I don't know what 'did it', all I know is I'm doing good. However, I did do the course of quinolone drugs (just watch for any tendon or muscle problems), but I know the major changes i made in my life made the difference as well.

By anon104474 — On Aug 16, 2010

I have pseudo in my sinuses as well. It's not fun and could turn into meningitis if not taken care of.

Like I keep saying there are specific drugs for pseudo, Tobi for a sinus nebulizer should help. You can become resistant if taking the drug for too long so they should run cultures to make sure the bacteria is still sensitive to the medication.

If you start to become resistant you should go on rotation between tobi and another drug. That's what I do for the lungs and my sinuses. I have had it in the lungs for four years and in my sinuses for almost two. I had sinus surgery as well to help with my sinus drainage.

By anon104417 — On Aug 16, 2010

How concerned should I be? I just found out I have PA in my sinuses. Has anyone else had it there? Any total cures? Can you pass it on to someone else?

By anon102368 — On Aug 07, 2010

I contracted PA in 2006 and beat it with Tobi, but it has colonized and is back. I also have Asthma and ABPA so my lung capacity is currently at 51 percent (74 percent pre PA).

I love the comments but need to share my story. I am 47 and very active. Almost two years ago my pulmonary specialist put me on Xolair which are shots given through an infusion center (not a big deal at all, but highly expensive. thank god for insurance). I have had a life long journey with lung conditions and no drug, ever has had the positive impact on my lung capacity and function as Xolair has. Please seek it out.

Good luck. As sorry as this bacteria is, it's nice to know we are not alone. --Texan

By anon101336 — On Aug 02, 2010

I would sue them for one thing and secondly it is the pseudomonas causing your problems and depending on the drugs you are taking, not all antibiotics work for Pseudo. You could be causing resistance to the antibiotics.

I would ask them for IV tobramycin or ceftazidime, preferably tobramycin. If you have had it this long it has probably colonized. I have had pseudo for four years in my lungs and now in my sinuses. It won't go away because it colonized and unless they can make a drug to kill it, you're stuck with it.

You need a doctor who knows know to treat Pseudo. Cystic Fibrosis patients get it in their lungs often and so do people with my lung condition PCD.

By anon100868 — On Jul 31, 2010

Had a severe sore throat and joint pain and digestive issues, was hospitalized and had endoscopy after release could not swallow. The ENT did a biopsy on the throat abscess and it was heavy with growth of pseudomonas bacteria and he informed the internist, who said not to worry. The ENT sent me to an infectious disease dr. who put me on Levaquin. that was four years ago and i have had some form of infection every six to eight weeks requiring antibiotics and steroids. None of the doctors will relate it to the pseudomonas or test for it. My original internist refused to treat me and called the infectious disease doctor to drop me as a patient. i have the lab report. I cannot get local doctors to respond. I went to mayo after but after a call from my internist they would not even do a throat culture. what now?

By anon90506 — On Jun 16, 2010

My wife got PA following an arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. (the surgeon left an incision open).

She was hospitalized for seven days and received a total of five arthroscopic washouts to try and remove the PA during the following three months. After three months of unending pain, total disability and IV antibiotics, the PA destroyed the soft tissue in the knee and she finally had to have a total knee replacement.

For those suffering from PA in a joint, don't delay getting to a limb preservation specialist. Our specialist, whom we found only after waiting too long following the infection, told us that typically the only way to cure PA in a joint is to remove the infected tissue. Our advice: Get to a specialist!

By anon84401 — On May 15, 2010

It survives in the dirt, on unwashed veggies, on your shower curtain and on your rotting onions (the dark stuff) and the pink stuff on the side of your shower, and inside your shower head if you don't kill it with bleach or other.

And it can survive in hot tubs, so watch having open sores which it can get into, and if you get a rash from hot tub, it's probably PA.

It's common everywhere. Healthy people simply don't get it in their lungs; it takes having some sort of damage to which it attaches itself, like after having pneumonia.

There are few drugs that can kill it because it has so many defense mechanisms. The quinolone drugs alter its DNA to kill it, bu, it's hard to get all the bacteria as some are 'hybrinating' (not in their DNA duplication cycle) so they reemerge.

And the drug sometimes affects our own DNA of tendons/muscles to where we have side effects of even rupture in severe cases. So, if you take these drugs watch for any sign of muscle/tendon pain/weakness as I had this.

But, I had to use the drugs as the bacteria was literally killing my lungs. The point is prevention. Keep your shower area squeaky clean, including the shower head, or wear a mask. Wash anything thoroughly that goes into your mouth.

Beware of hot tubs, and if you have an open sore or wound make sure you use anti bacterial on it immediately and keep it clean. Don't rub your eyes or nose, or eat with dirty hands.

By anon84119 — On May 13, 2010

How long can Pseudomonas survive without a host?

By anon81433 — On May 01, 2010

Budesonide is just an asthma inhaler. it won't cure PA. ever hear of symbacort? that is Budesonide.

By kmusliu — On May 01, 2010

I used Budesonide for curing Pa, and after seven months of treatment with it, when we did the last analysis the results were negative on that bacteria. I hope that this information would be helpful.

By anon81362 — On May 01, 2010

I have tried all of those along with Chinese medicine and nothing else worked. Do you inhale antibiotics at all?

I wouldn't say never be free. I have had it in my lungs the last four years and am confident they are closer then ever to finding out how to kill this bacteria. They just came out with a new inhaled drug as well. My doctor just told me about it while I was in the hospital for IV antibiotics. i only did the ivs because we thought I needed surgery to remove an ovarian cyst, but come to find out I didn't need it but I still need to finish the antibiotic so the bacteria doesn't become resistant. three more days, not bad.

By anon81287 — On Apr 30, 2010

Are there any recent developments in treatment of respiratory pseudomonas? My physician told me that I would never be able to be totally free from this. It always returns.

Since we can only take so many IV antibiotics before our body becomes immune, I am searching for an alternative in the holistic area. So far, I have been told to use garlic, ginseng, and Manuka honey.

Any other ideas for holistic treatments would be appreciated or any new scientific developments.

By anon80847 — On Apr 28, 2010

I injured my knee in a car accident two months ago. I was in the hospital six days and in rehab for five weeks. I now have Pseudomonas in my injured knee. I have had nine shots of antibiotics(ceftriaxone-rocephin) and have two left to go -- or more. The antibiotic seems to be working as the infection is no longer "weeping".

By anon75715 — On Apr 07, 2010

Has anyone with P A used natural agents such as plant tannins and Uva-Ursi to control or stop PA?

I have severe skin inflammation with staph. My stool tests show P A.

By anon74088 — On Mar 30, 2010

I took Ginseng and it isn't good for your liver to take constantly. Also, I did Chinese herbs and coughed up blood, I felt terrible on the herbs. Everyone is different though. Do your research on the ginseng because there are different types some are stronger then others, etc.

If you have pseudomonas like I do in my lungs, then ginseng might not be a good option if you are going to take it regularly.

By anon73754 — On Mar 29, 2010

Can Ginseng help with Pseudomonas aeruginosa? Anyone with information would be greatly appreciated!

By kcor — On Mar 25, 2010

My mother of 67 years was admitted to hospital after a canker sore in her mouth became inflamed, followed by her tongue swelling to the point where she couldn't talk. they had to put in a breathing tube.

after many tests they found out she had PA and a severely compromised immune system. the first thing they did was give her medication to build up the immune system, while giving her heavy doses of antibiotics.

in her case it was too little too late. She became septic and the PA started shutting down her organs. she died within three days.

By anon70460 — On Mar 14, 2010

Re my comments on the use of vinegar to kill P Aeruginosa: please note that it is the acidity of acetic acid that does the job. Here in Cyprus the environment is highly alkaline (arid) and ideal for PA. I never experienced PA in other countries that have more acidic soils. Maybe if people consume large quantities of acid fruit like lemons and oranges, it would help.

By anon70459 — On Mar 14, 2010

Hi musliu: Several of my cats have contracted P

Aeruginosa on their skin. I tried ABs with little success except in one case Neomycin brought about a complete cure, and Virkon in a mother.

Have just found a website that reports vinegar 1 percent is highly effective in eradicating PA in wounds. It is working very well on my cats. The Royal Navy used to scrub down the decks with vinegar before action stations.

Perhaps gargling with vinegar will help your son's throat.

By anon68460 — On Mar 02, 2010

My daughter is nine and has been diagnosed with PA urinary tract infection, but she is otherwise healthy. She has received a course of iv antibiotics for the last five days but still seems unwell. We have been sent home from the hospital to wait for the results of further urine tests. Can anyone give me any tips on what I should do next?

By anon66453 — On Feb 19, 2010

I hate ceftazidime. Maybe they should try Tobramycin through IV. If it is in the lungs you can use Tobi in a nebulizer. They are the same drug but Tobi is formulated for the lungs. Tobramycin can be to harsh on the lungs. I was on Ceftazidime and tobramycin IV in August. Its a hard bacteria to get rid of. I have had mine for four years in the lungs now.

By anon66180 — On Feb 18, 2010

Has anyone else contracted pseudomonas twice? I got mine following double spinal fusion op Dec 06 during which a vein was severed. Four months of Ceftazidime intravenously but it returned in Sept. 07. I took nine months of Ciprofloxacin orally. Infection not returned (yet) but has left me with chronic pain, chronic fatigue and clinical depression.

By kmusliu — On Feb 10, 2010

My son is one year old and got PA when he was just seven months old. I tried with many antibiotics but it didn't work. Finally a doctor advised me on using Pulmicort (budesonide) which is helping my son. But the most important thing about this bacteria is to consume healthy food in order to make stronger the immune system. Any other advices are welcomed.

By anon64530 — On Feb 08, 2010

Hospitals are not necessarily "notorious" for this bacteria; you can get it anywhere because it is an environmental bacteria.

If someone has a tube, such as to help them breathe, no matter where they are, home, or hospital, they most likely will get pseudomonas aeruginosa in their lungs. It's very common for someone who does not have C.F. or PCD to get pseudomonas aeruginosa if they have a perm tube to help them breathe.

Also, aminoglycosides drugs are the drug of choice to help fight off this bacteria. Tobi is the only drug that can almost break down the cell wall of the bacteria. Other drugs cannot do this and you can become resistant to quinolone much faster then aminoglycosides. You should rotate drugs to minimize resistance.

I have had pseudomonas in my lungs for four years now.

By LindaSS — On Feb 06, 2010

I just thought about the fact that your son had been in intensive care in the hospital for a long period.

Unfortunately, the hospital may be where your son got the PA (hospitals are notorious for this bacteria and the public doesn't know). But, if he just got the bacteria, which it sounds like he did, get him to a lung doctor immediately and get him on quinolone drugs to possibly kill the bug. He actually has a chance of killing it if it is treated early before the bug spreads.

And make sure the doctors keep him on the drugs to thoroughly eradicate it as the first round is the most important. Read up on pseudomonas aeruginosa. Make sure your doctors aggressively treat this right away.

I wish your son well soon.

By LindaSS — On Feb 06, 2010

Dear anon63935: My heart goes out to you as I also have a son 30. Don't wait to see a lung specialist -- insist to see them now, that your son can not wait in this life threatening situation. Don't be polite - implore that the doctor come home a little late for dinner to make time for your son; that your son needs her/his help.

Try other pulmonary specialists (and get more than one opinion), especially those who treat serious cases such as those with cystic fibrosis.

Now, on the good hand your son has made it to being stabilized and at home. He is young and strong. Give him constant water to flush his lungs and body out, fresh fruits and vegetables (well washed as pseudomonas is a very common but unfortunately life threatening bacteria).

Make fresh made vegetable soups, drink low salt V8 juice, fresh green grasses juice (check your health food store or local market. Make sure it has fruit in it as well for good flavor), eat lost of dark greens (along with adequate protein, but, it's very important to get tons of fresh produce of multiple kinds into the body - get organic if you can afford it).

A good liquid vitamin, vitamin D3, fish oil, vitamin E - the last two are to reduce inflammation. Have a blood panel run to see where his levels are. D is extremely important and is often below norm (optimal is between 50-80 so get it to there. The doctor can prescribe up to 50,000 IU a week in a pill. It is perfectly safe and cheap pills).

I've been fighting off my pseudomonas for a long time with building my health through the best foods I can give my body (the doctors were concerned that I could die this last summer as I was very sick).

The flushing with water is extremely important as well as not eating foods that can cause mucus. Gently get the mucus out of the lungs without straining them. I roll on my back to my side to the front and onto my back to encourage it up as the mucus moves with a change in position to loosen it out.

On the internet is much information about good foods. Research alkaline foods (these are foods that reduce inflammation, which is the primary problem the lungs have and then create mucus. Again the water to get that mucus thin as well). Gently try to take deeper breaths to increase lung capacity - but, do it incrementally -- a little more each day, not all at once as it may just irritate them. Go gently.

My doctor is also an osteopath and she works my back and presses on my lungs to get mucus up. S physical therapist can also do this if trained - call around.

Take heart; my doctors had me on strong drugs this summer and I had such severe side effects I couldn't continue, though I was very ill, and I'm making it. My body is getting stronger every day. Treatment with quinolone drugs as soon as possible to back the pseudomonas off, and to take a long amount of the drugs to try and kill off as much is safe without becoming resistant to the drugs, is why you need to have a lung doctor see your boy immediately. This isn't something the doctors should be putting off.

But, building the health of the lungs themselves is very important. My best thoughts to you and your family.

By anon63935 — On Feb 04, 2010

my son who is 34 had swine flu. he was in hospital 13 weeks and had lung failure and kidney failure and was critical in intensive care for 11 weeks.

He is home just with oxygen and has pseudomonas and can't walk. we don't know if he will get over this as he is waiting to see a lung specialist this month. does anyone know? does this go or will it stay with him and if it does how does he stop it from flaring up? thank you

By LindaSS — On Feb 03, 2010

Also, concerning how pseudomonas aeruginosa can infect our bodies, the bacteria can be on our skin. It grows as the pink scum stuff in a bathtub(or blackish growth like which you see on decaying onions).

I forget where on the internet I read this, so, double check me on all this, but PA is extremely common...in our dirt, in showerheads, water sometimes (hot tubs are notorious), on veggies/fruits. Medical equipment, soaps are suspects too.

By LindaSS — On Feb 03, 2010

To Anon63413: yes be very concerned and get the best physician you can on this to start intensive drug treatment immediately to kill this very, I'm sorry to say can be lethal bacteria (with treatment she'll be fine, but, get on this). This is not a bug to mess with as ordinary antibiotics don't kill it.

I'm concerned that your doctor isn't jumping on this immediately. Don't wait, get another doctor if she isn't.

By anon63523 — On Feb 02, 2010

my mother has undergone right below knee amputation. Now pseudomonas aeruginosa ha been detected in wound culture test. can anybody tell how to treat? treatment with Doripenem is started.

By anon63413 — On Feb 01, 2010

The pediatrician called me today to let me know that my four year old daughter had two types of bacteria in her urine, one being Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Should I be concerned that now she has this bacteria, and will it cause her problems as she gets older?

How could this have shown up in here urine? She has no known health problems, just doesn't eat veggies or many fruits at all. I'm freaking out now. Help.

By loopyloo14 — On Jan 24, 2010

I am a patient on TPN (total parenteral nutrition), this is done through a central line placed into your chest and threaded through to the heart. I am now on my fourth line through PA, before I was on TPN I was fed with a jejunostomy. Since visiting my GP I have since found the infection I had in that was PA too. Does this thing ever totally go?

I don't feel I can keep having these central lines fitted. I know I need it for nutrition but can't face keep being hospitalized and one line out and another in. Hospitals are really not a good pastime and I think your more likely to get more bacteria there.

Please someone say that it does eventually go. I feel like I am living on a time bomb just waiting to go off, not a great feeling!

By LindaSS — On Jan 16, 2010

I'm no authority on the treatment of PA as I'm just a fellow sufferer of the disease. I have had improvement in the clearing of my lung x ray and better health in general, but I don't know how 'bad off' I am as they won't give me a straight answer because I don't think they know.

Last August I was told I could die if the PA wasn't brought under control and to stop any stress (the doctors wanted me to stop pushing myself; no work and rest).

I'd been on Levaquin (quinolone drug) and I had a bad side effect of my tendons having extreme pain where I couldn't walk or turn my neck, so, I had to quit the drug treatment (pills - I haven't done IV as they're afraid to do it with me because of my extreme reaction to quinolone drugs so, they're telling me I'm pretty on my own to see what my own body can do as they have only the drugs they have to treat PA and I can't take them).

I got my strength back slowly by taking lots of supplements (full mineral vitamin liquid and more), joint vibrance to rebuild my joint/tendons, green vibrance for probiotics etc, alkaline diet rather than high protein (which is what I'd been eating).

Had my blood tested and found out I was very low on vit D - make sure you find out what your blood is showing as if you don't have more than adequate levels of minerals and other critical factors in your blood you need to focus on getting them corrected.

I requested that my magnesium be tested as well as for some reason they don't automatically test it.

I read extensively about diet as I have osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), muscle spasms/constipation from lack of magnesium, as well as PA. With the primarily vegetarian (very little dairy as it made mucus with me) I noticed my spit and sputum got thinner, watery, which is important to me to not have thick mucus where PA can grow well. Garlic water, which I soak bread in and eat also kills candida and bacteria and thins the mucus (which I also did and it works). And drinking tons of water -- this made a big difference.

I also drink a lot of V8 juice and made a lot of full veggie soups and lots of greens (kale, chard, spinach, grasses) and drink 'green grass spirulina' drinks, and tons of fruits.

Then I started going to the gym three times a week to work up my energy and start resistance weights for the Osteo followed by whey protein drink to replace amino acids, along with a banana, and a lot of water.

I started feeling better and breathing deeper was expanding the lungs making them healthier. I'd lie on my back at home and intentionally hack up as much mucus out of my lungs as possible without overly irritating them.

My doctor, who's an osteopath, also would massage and push on my lungs to help bring up crud (as well as 'pump' my lymphatic system to move it along. I started going to a physical therapist who works the pain areas in my spine and intestines and general massage to 'move things along'.

Your doctor can give you referrals to osteopaths and physical therapists to help with all this.

Then I stopped all stress. I stopped doing for others and started just concentrating on my needs, nothing more, focusing on just my health. I learned how to say no, I have a health problem I need to attend to. Stress produces cortisol which irritates everything (inflammation).

Then I started skiing and feeling great. I was breathing well for a 'run down 60 year old' and feeling better than when I was in my 40's. Then I took up racquetball, and dance yoga (started slow and worked up).

I am a changed person from almost dying in August to breathing well and much improved in all my health conditions and continuing to research. I research every night and read extensively, but with the info I gained from August to now it's made a huge difference.

I put in a water filter in my shower and keep it clean so that no more PA can grow there and infect myself further (that pink soap scum stuff -- that's PA growing, the black stuff rotting on your onions you didn't throw out? PA. It's common and it grows easily so stay clean with bleach, wash your fresh veggies extremely well, wash under your nails.

Normal healthy people eat/breathe this stuff and don't get infected, but, those of us susceptible to it do and it's serious. I don't go into grocery stores when they're crowded and if someone's coughing I go to the other side of the store - I protect myself from other diseases.

I also got the H1N1 and regular flu shots (they don't hurt) so I wouldn't come down with them. I cover my face with kleenex I keep in my pocket if someone is coughing next to me and make no apology.

The idea that catching stuff can improve one's immunity for later is for the healthy young, not me!

The big thing I saw for myself is that I had to get healthy in general. I've followed the example of younger people who have cystic fibrosis and are active. They exercise constantly and eat well (non mucus producing foods) and have practitioners that help them get mucus out of their lungs, and they have fun and are living longer and longer.

It's a fight for general health and it's a lot of work, but, I was on death row and I'm not there at the moment (knock on wood).

Each day is a gift and I'm fighting for it by researching and talking to others.

By anon60855 — On Jan 16, 2010

what medications is she using? They should do a culture to see which medications work to try and kill it. Just any antibiotic won't work. I know Tobi is the medication of choice.

By anon60693 — On Jan 15, 2010

my mother in law has Pseudomonas aeruginosa in her sinuses and now its in one of her lungs. she's been on lots of antibiotics and it isn't getting any better. should she keep on with the antibiotics or does any one no anything to do? she goes to the doctor twice a week for IVs of meds and still it isn't even a little better. --HG

By anon59871 — On Jan 10, 2010

There is not cure for pseudo. If you have it in the lungs like I do and caught it early you might be able to eradicate it before it colonized but, even then still hard to get rid of. I am going on four years now of having it in my lungs.

By anon59850 — On Jan 10, 2010

I wrote extensively about how I'm getting my PA under control in my lung with success and gave several links for web sites. But, they removed the post. Research and you should be able to find other interactive groups on health/disease.

By kmusliu — On Jan 09, 2010

Does anyone know any other web page that has to do with this kind of bacteria? Because as far as i have searched the web still there isn't a cure for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. If anyone has some more information on this please post it

By anon59489 — On Jan 08, 2010

I know we can't share email addresses with each other, but there are web sites where I and others with lung problems talk.

I have only found a couple of other people with Pseudomonas A. But, it would be great to chat more interactively where we can share links to info and such (which we can do on the site).

By anon59238 — On Jan 07, 2010

i am being tested for P.A. As i am led to believe that i have more hope if i have p.a than leukemia etc. is there actually a cure for this within the u.k.?

By anon58331 — On Jan 01, 2010

I have a venous ulcer on my right ankle that started out with MRSA and then the Pseudomonas took over. Six years later I can barely walk and have been on every oral and IV anti that is out there. Do what homework? If you know of any herb that can stand up against this stuff why can't you tell us what it is! (before I have to have it amputated).

By LindaSS — On Dec 16, 2009

I am so sorry to hear the horrible things that many of you have suffered as a result of this bacteria. I've been given the option of quinolone drugs -- again, but, want to try and see if I can fight this off without the drugs as I took them once and I was better for about a month, then the disease got worse again, went on them and I suffered horrible pain in my knees, hips (could barely walk) and couldn't turn my head hardly.

I went off and it took about three months to heal - I'm still having some pain. So, if anyone has had any success with natural means of fighting this bacteria in the lungs, I'd greatly appreciate it. anon46904 had mentioned natural means so if you see this post I'm very interested. They won't allow an email address, so, I'll have to rely on seeing info on this forum. Thanks.

By kmusliu — On Dec 10, 2009

I am using Pulmi Cort with my child, which seems to have some effect. if you need it i can send you the generic name of it.

By anon55790 — On Dec 09, 2009

I have had pseudo for three years and have been and are still on a lot of drugs for it. I see a Cystic Fibrosis doctor even though I don't have C.F. They are the only ones that are able to help. The regular pulmos I have had no luck with. They hear me say I have PCD and freak out because they have no idea how to treat it.

What do you use because I have tried chinese herbs with no luck.

By anon55460 — On Dec 07, 2009

Use colloidal silver to treat this. Do your research on this product! It is lifesaving!

By adeikhlas — On Nov 22, 2009

My son is 20 months old. he's been hospitalized for 10 days, where I think he caught P. aeruginosa because his fingers and feet are now black. he's feeling serious pain and the doctor said they can't do anything to it now because they don't amputate babies. what do you advise I do to save the unaffected and possibly the affected parts of the limbs? Thank you.

By kmusliu — On Oct 05, 2009

My son is 8 months old and has pseudomonas aeruginosa in the throat. We tried antibiotics such as gentamycin but it's still present. Can someone give me any advice on what should i do?

By anon46904 — On Sep 29, 2009

To mshell, I also have PCD - lived with the pseudomonas for the past seven years. Will not go on antiobiotics. i am trying a more holistic route. i have an occasional flare up, but seems to be working well. Would love to share more information with you. KPET

By anon42424 — On Aug 21, 2009

Should I stay away from my friend's place who has a 2 month old and a 1.5 year old?

By anon42423 — On Aug 21, 2009

I have Pseudomonas Aeruginosa on both my lower legs. The doctor said i caught it by scratching them but I think its from shaving. My skin is red and it heats up to the point where I get blisters and they pop. I went to 1 hospital 2 times and they couldn't diagnose me for some reason and I go to a different hospital and immediately they tell my I have cellulitis and some type of bacterial infection and they took a swab and the results came back with this after a week.

They put me on homecare with a nurse changing my IV 2 times a day. I've been on intravenous antibiotics for three weeks so far and it was changed two times to higher more stronger antibiotics. Now im on Ciprofloxacin and it seems to be getting better. My one leg is still red and irritated with scabs from the blisters and the other is still wrapped as the blisters just constantly run fluid.

I just want this over. Is there some other treatment I should do?

By anon41197 — On Aug 13, 2009

After returning from a visit to Egypt, I became very ill and thought I had food poisoning but was diagnosed with P. aeruginosa. I am a very healthy female, no operations, no hospital visits, etc. How would I have contracted this? Is it contracted through bad food? Drinking bad water?

By anon40365 — On Aug 07, 2009

my son and daughter-in-law purchased a very expensive puppy who has been sick almost constantly since they purchased her. They have spent thousands of dollars on the dog over the past 3 months. She went in to be spayed almost 4 weeks ago and came home snorting terribly. Within hours they brought her back to the vet and she was put on antibiotics again.

She has continued to get worse and finally my kids put up a real stink and they cultured her nasal cavity and she has a pseudomonas aeruginosa 3+ along with 2 other bacteria. Is this contagious from pets to people?

By anon40313 — On Aug 07, 2009

I have 1 year-old daughter who has Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in her throat. Wondering what preventative measures we can take to keep this from recurring?

By anon39977 — On Aug 05, 2009

I was diagnosed with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa after a very long surgery. I have been on different IV treatments on and off for the past 6 months. No one expects to get an infection after surgery. Will I ever have my old life back again? Will the infection ever die? It has really been a rough year.

By anon39729 — On Aug 04, 2009

I have an eight week baby who has Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in her ear. Wondering if there will be any long term damage to her hearing?

By anon36219 — On Jul 10, 2009

I have bronchiectasis which goes hand in hand with Pseudomonas. My lungs never being completely clear of it. But it's controlled by Azithromycin at this time, having built an immunity to most other drugs.

By anon34531 — On Jun 24, 2009

To Winnie15,

If you have no significant weakness in your immune systems you are 99% safe, as the P. Aeruginosa can only invade compromised tissue, meaning sick and/or damaged tissue.

For example, if you have liver cirrhosis the P. Aeruginosa could invade your liver, but if you only drink a few beers a week, you'll be fine.

By mshell — On May 29, 2009

I have the bacteria in my lungs and it is not contagious. People with Cystic Fibrosis can get it as well as people like myself who were born with a rare lung condition called PCD. Primary Ciliary Dyskinsia. I have had the bacteria for almost three years now. On and off a lot of antibiotics. Healthy people can get it as well if medical equipment is not cleaned properly.

By gypsy71 — On Jan 31, 2009

i did enter this comment before, but it didn't get through, anyway, what i said was that there are herbal remedies for virus and bacterial infections. oregano oil kills staph, there are herbs that boost your immune system, do your research, when have you last heard of any cures for anything?? remember, there is no profit in a cure. only in prolonged treatment, you know, medications that most people can't afford to take, have so many side effects that could kill you faster than what your being treated for. black seed oil is another one. look it up. gypsy71

By sherron — On Jan 24, 2009

I too am interested to know if pseudomonas aeruginosa is contagious and if it can be caused by a catheter not being emptied for 20 hours with the urine backing back up into your body?

By anon24417 — On Jan 12, 2009

Intercell AG currently has a P. aeruginosa vaccine in Phase 2 clinical trials.

By dckrueger1 — On Jan 02, 2009

We have had 2 children that got Pseudomonas Meningitis, one died within 24 hours and one had 95% brain damage and died 3 years later. Doctors are now trying to figure out if there is some sort of genetic immune deficiency in our children. Both children got sick with it between 7 and 15 weeks of age. Does anyone know of anything that may help?

By AsmaKhan — On Dec 30, 2008

is Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine has been marketed now? if yes in which country it is available?

By anon18876 — On Oct 01, 2008

I had a bad lung infection in the eighties and was released as if I had a bad cold. I was called a week or so later and asked if "I was okay." They had found Pseudomonas aeruginosa in my lab workup. Now, years later, they have found evidence of scarring in my lung diagnostics. Does the body ever eliminate this bug or does it hang around waiting for an opportune moment?

By Winnie15 — On Sep 25, 2008

'Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogenic bacteria. Under right conditions it will cause illness.'..... I'm working with someone who has this, I'm careful as I can be but we do have slips ups, how compromised am I?

By mentirosa — On Aug 16, 2008

anon16816, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogenic bacteria. Under right conditions it will cause illness. Usually we do not say that bacteria is contagious. A person with an illness can be contagious, but bacteria can cause an illness when immune system is weakened, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa in particular will cause a host of problems whenever a tissue is compromised in any kind of a way. It can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary, joint and many other infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa will use any opportunity to infect a tissue when the host defenses are down.

By anon16816 — On Aug 15, 2008

Is Pseudomonas aeruginosa contagious?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a The Health Board contributor, Tricia...
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