Testing for antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Antibiotics are medicines that are used to treat bacterial infections. Bacteria that are resistant to one or more types of antibiotics are called antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are more common in a lot of other countries than in Sweden.
If you are carrying these bacteria, it is important for healthcare personnel here to know this, in order to be able to provide you with good and safe care. You will therefore be tested for bacteria called MRSA, VRE and ESBL.
MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus is a bacterium that is resistant to antibiotics. If you are carrying this bacterium, it is usually found on the skin and in the nose and throat. MRSA does not cause problems in most people, but if you develop an infection that requires treatment, there are fewer types of antibiotics to choose from.
Samples will be taken using a swab (similar to a cotton bud) from your nostrils, the back of your thro- at, and your perineum (the area between the anus and genitals).
VRE/ESBL or vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and ESBL-producing bacteria are bacteria that can be found in the bowel and produce a substance which breaks down a variety of antibiotics. If you develop an infection that requires treatment, there are fewer types of antibiotics to choose from.
Samples will be taken from the anus using a swab.
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Upprättat av Ann-Marie Cylvén
Giltigt från 2016-05-26 Smittskyddsenheten Godkänt av
Anders Nystedt Revideras senast 2017-05-26
