Elderly people often have weakened immune systems and develop infections more easily. When they live in close proximity, such as in nursing homes, infections can quickly spread out of control.
When nursing home infections become chronic, it is often a sign of neglect. Family and friends of nursing home residents should be aware of this risk and stay alert for any signs that their loved one’s health is being compromised.
If you or your loved one has suffered from nursing home neglect or abuse, you may have the right to seek compensation for your damages. Consult an experienced Georgia nursing home neglect attorney to discuss your concerns.
What To Know About Nursing Home Infections
When nursing home residents experience an acute infection, they are usually healed with proper medical attention. However, chronic infections may be persistent, lingering for a long period of time, or quickly recurring after treatment.
When nursing home residents experience chronic infections, it often leads to poor outcomes and may be a sign of nursing home neglect.
The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that nursing home residents are also at a higher risk of developing infections either during or soon after medical treatment for an unrelated problem. This type of infection is known as a Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) and is usually preventable.
Common Nursing Home Infections and Their Symptoms
Some types of infection are more common than others in a nursing home setting. Following are some of the most common infections seen in nursing homes and the signs or symptoms of each.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). UTIs are quite common in the elderly and even more so in elderly nursing home residents. Some of the symptoms of a UTI include:
- Fever
- Chills
- The urine has a strong odor.
- The urine is very dark.
- Back pain.
- Vomiting.
- Urgent need to urinate.
- A burning sensation when urinating.
- Mental confusion.
- Staph infections. In nursing homes, staph infections can quickly run rampant without a strict infection control protocol. Symptoms of staph include:
- A lingering skin bump.
- Swelling and redness.
- Fever.
- Rash.
- Drainage from the bump or skin lesion.
- Confusion.
- Nausea or diarrhea.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a type of staph infection that is usually resistant to antibiotics and can be deadly. Symptoms include:
- Swollen, painful, red bumps or pimples that may look like spider bites.
- The area is warm to the touch.
- The swollen area may drain fluid.
- The resident may have a fever.
- Influenza. The Centers for Disease Control urges that all nursing home residents receive routine influenza vaccinations. Symptoms of the flu include:
- Congestion.
- Cough.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Sore throat.
- Chills.
- Body aches.
- Shortness of breath.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Fatigue.
- Runny nose.
These are only a few of the many types of contagious infections common in nursing homes. Family and friends of nursing home residents should be aware of the symptoms and take quick action if they suspect a resident has an infection.
Liability for Nursing Home Infections
Nursing homes are responsible for taking proper actions to prevent and contain the spread of infections. When infections are widespread in a facility, it may be a sign of neglect or abuse.
Proving liability is not usually easy. However, an experienced nursing home neglect and abuse attorney will help you determine whether you have a valid cause of action. If so, they can investigate and help gather evidence to prove the nursing home’s liability.
Contact Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates Today
If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, the experienced attorneys at Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates want to help you. We have a proven record of holding negligent nursing homes accountable for their actions and recovering maximum compensation for our clients.
Call (770) 865-8654 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation.