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Hospital infections, or nosocomial infections, are common and can affect different parts of the body. Urinary tract infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and rotavirus are among the most common. Patients are most susceptible within the first few days of admission, and proper handwashing and sterilization procedures are crucial in preventing the spread of infections.
Hospital infections, also known as nosocomial infections, are those that an individual develops following a hospital stay. Common hospital-acquired infections include those of the urinary tract, bloodstream, and respiratory system. Among pediatric patients, one of the most common infections is rotavirus.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections and is caused by a strain of the E. coli virus making contact with the kidney system. Women are more susceptible than men and the infection usually affects parts of the bladder or urethra. Fortunately, while it can be a painful and annoying condition, it is generally not life-threatening. Most people who get this infection are successfully treated with antibiotics, although having a urinary tract infection means feeling the need to urinate constantly, a burning sensation as you do it, and pain throughout the pelvis.
Pneumonia, which infects the respiratory system, is another infectious disease commonly found in hospitals. Patients with pneumonia show difficulty breathing, severe cough, and may or may not have a fever. For most adults, it’s not a serious illness; in pediatric or geriatric patients, however, it can be fatal. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, but when they are detected following a hospital stay, they are usually severe because the body is already compromised in some way. It is generally spread through the presence of bacteria in the air and is usually inhaled by patients.
The deadliest of the common hospital infections are bloodstream infections. Middle-aged and elderly patients are the most susceptible to these infections, which are typically acquired through improper catheter-related procedures. Hospital staff members who do not follow proper hand washing procedures also play a role in contracting these infections.
Rotavirus is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections in children. An infection of the digestive tract causes severe diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. It can lead to dehydration if the individual is not properly cared for and can pose a life-threatening risk to children under the age of five. The virus is present in the feces of the infected person and is spread between patients when proper handwashing and sterilization procedures are not followed.
Many times, a patient who is about to contract an infection related to a hospital stay will do so within two to four days of admission. In some cases, symptoms only develop after the individual has returned home. He often has to go back to a doctor for further treatment.
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