Nightmare bacteria—those that are resistant to almost every drug—are particularly deadly in the elderly and people with chronic illnesses. Up to half of the resulting infections prove fatal, Schuchat said.

Perhaps you’ve heard about drug-resistant “Superbugs” in the news. These new threats we are facing now are called “Nightmare Bacteria.” Some of these germs include: Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), Candida auris, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).

SEAN ELLIOT: In Addie’s case, she was a skin picker. She, as do many kids, picked at her little scabs. And that was likely what introduced the staph infection. NARRATOR: But the staph was just the start of Addie’s troubles.

Addie Rerecich was only 11 years old when she was hospitalized with MRSA, an infection her doctor said she likely caught by picking at a scab — like so many kids do. While in the hospital, she contracted an untreatable form of the bacteria stenotrophomonas that nearly took her life.

Can These Infections Be Treated? CRE are resistant to most drugs. These germs make an enzyme that breaks down antibiotics before they can work. That’s why the strongest of those drugs, called carbapenems, may not cure the infection.

Enterobacteriaceae are a family of more than 70 bacteria including Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli that normally live in the digestive system. Considered more dangerous than MRSA, Dr.

If a doctor suspects that a person has a CRE infection, they will take a sample of their bodily fluid, such as blood or urine, to test in a laboratory. The laboratory test will confirm the species of bacteria and determine if the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.

The most important way to prevent the spread of CRE and other antibiotic-resistant infections is to practice good hand-washing. Wash your hands often using soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Check that anyone who is providing your care also washes his or her hands often.

Addison “Addie” Rerecich (October 1, 1999 -December 30, 2019) was an American double-lung transplant recipient who spent the longest documented duration of time using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy at 93 days She underwent the transplant at age 11 in 2011 and was the subject of a 2013 episode of …

Addie’s doctors had run out of the most common antibiotics used to treat these serious bacteria so, in desperation, they turned to an antibiotic known as colistin. Colistin is very powerful, but it is also so highly toxic to the kidneys and other organs that doctors rarely use it.

Addie’s doctors had run out of the most common antibiotics used to treat these serious bacteria so, in desperation, they turned to an antibiotic known as colistin.

What are the symptoms of CRE infection?

• Shortness of breath (from pneumonia)
• Pain with urination (from urinary tract infection)
• Pain and swelling of the skin (from skin infection)
• Belly pain (from liver or splenic infection)
• Stiff neck and reduced consciousness (from meningitis infection)