The article by Cleveland clinic covers nosocomial infections or healthcare-associated infections, its symptoms and causes, diagnosis and tests, management and treatment, as well as prevention, prognosis, and living with the infection. These infections occur in a medical facility, generally while an individual is undergoing treatment. The definition of HAIs are infections that occur within: 48 hours of arrival to the facility, 3 days after discharge from the facility, or 30 days following a surgical procedure. Anyone can get nosocomial infections but they are more susceptible to people with compromised immune systems. HAIs arise from bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens, and are mostly avoidable despite the half-million patients and healthcare providers that contract them. The article brings up several HAIs and some reasons why they occur: (1) C. diff(Clostridium difficile) infection, (2) Catheter-associated urinary tract infection(CAUTI), (3) Central line-associated bloodstream infection(CLABSI), MRSA(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), (4) surgical site infection(SSI), (5) Ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP). Some common symptoms listed are: fever, chills, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, painful urination, and changes in mental state. Some causes include gram-negative bacteria, clostridium difficile(C. diff), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), and hepatiti. These infections can spread through respiratory droplets or improper infection control procedures. Certain treatments can also be risk factors such as catheters, ventilation, injections, and surgery. There are certain complications with each infection like sepsis, slowed healing, further infections, and rejection of medical devices. HAIs are diagnosed with the symptoms it shows and a urinalysis or blood test to confirm. The treatments are with standard antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals, however the challenge is when the pathogens develop resistance against the treatment. The best treatment is prevention if possible. Cleveland clinic provides some steps to prevent getting infected like keeping clean, washing hands, asking about infection control protocols, and following treatment plans fully. Though most people recover fully with an early diagnosis, they can provide serious health complications.
