Dad's infection post-prostatectomy. Any experiences?

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had experiences with infections post-prostatectomy? One week after my Dad got his catheter out and he stopped taking his antibiotics he came down with an infection. His WBC were increased, he got a headache and felt nauseous and he needed to be hospitalized with an antibiotic drip. They are not saying what the source of the infection was (don't know?)...we thought maybe a UTI or?
Has anyone else had post surgery infections...if yes, how were they treated, how did you avoid getting another one, etc. Any information would be wonderful!
Thanks so much and have a great day!

Luvmydad

added subject for searching and archiving

Post Edited By Moderator (James C.) : 12/16/2009 10:41:20 AM (GMT-7)

My dad had an infection at the incision site after he was home, but antibiotics knocked it out and he was fine shortly after. No need for hospitalization. Hope your dad is feeling better soon!

Hospitals are really a cesspool of bacteria. Every bacteria known to man is in the hospital. Infections are a big risk of surgery. Could be from poor technique by a doctor, nurse, technician, or from not washing after using the restroom. Hard to say what.

Thank goodness we have antibiotics that can kill most bacteria.

Goodlife

My husband got a life-threatening infection after his last (4th) prostate biopsy. It came on within 8 hours and within 16 hours he was admitted into the hospital on IV Levaquin and about as ill as I've ever seen a human being. Fortunately, he survived but not before going septic from one nasty gram-negative bacteria -- Klebsiella. Klebsiella is a bacteria that is often associated with hospital acquired infections in catheters. I'm sure the hospital your father is in is doing blood cultures to identify the bacteria and the best treatment will be given to him. Like MRSA, other staph and strep bacteria, Klebsiella is found on the body (Klebsiella is mostly in the digestive tract from the larynx through the rectum). Our immune system keeps it in check like all the other organisms. However, when these bad dudes end up where they should not be, i.e, the urinary tract and especially the blood -- things go to heck in a hand basket quick. The body needs help from antibiotics and fortunately there are still a few that will fight these super bugs. My guess is he was given an antibiotic that was not working on the bacteria causing his problems or he wasn't given a long enough dosage. After my husband was released from the hospital he was still taking Levaquin by mouth for a month. I would not be surprised if the source of your father's infection came from his catheter. Please us keep up updated on your father's progress and I'm sending positive thoughts your way.

Post Edited (nodaker) : 12/17/2009 12:24:05 PM (GMT-7)