Acinetobacter Baumannii: What You Should Know! (2022 Updated)
Acetobacter bacteria are naturally occurring organism that usually lives in soil, streams, and ponds. These bacteria can sometimes grow in the moist environment of an artificial or natural hot tub or spa. If you own or operate an indoor water spa facility, it’s essential to know how to prevent Acinetobacter baumannii from contaminating your water supply and equipment.
Acetobacter bacteria prefer environments with high moisture levels. They thrive when there is heat, acidic conditions, and low available oxygen within water settings such as hot tubs and spas. The presence of Acetobacter can cause several health risks, including skin irritation, eye infections, and bloodstream infections.
What is Acinetobacter Baumannii?
Acinetobacter Baumannii is a gram-negative bacteria that makes up part of the natural soil microbiome. Acinetobacter is present in the environment and often found in water, soil, and on contaminated surfaces. It is frequently found in tap water spas, hot tubs, and other water settings with high moisture. Acinetobacter can also grow in the moist environment of medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks and humidifiers.
People can become infected with Acinetobacter by coming into contact with the bacterium. The bacterium can be easily spread from person to person or from contaminated surfaces to people. Acinetobacter infections can cause serious infections in people with a weakened immune system. Acinetobacter infections can occur when a person breathes contaminated air, touches a contaminated surface, or has direct contact with Acinetobacter bacteria.
How can Acinetobacter Harm Our Bodies?
The most common issue is skin irritation. Skin irritation can lead to an itchy rash, redness, and even blisters. If a person ingests water containing Acinetobacter, it can lead to intestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. Acinetobacter can also lead to eye infections, ear infections, and blood infections.
It’s important to note that Acinetobacter is not a risk to healthy people. However, people with weakened immune systems are at risk of experiencing conditions from Acinetobacter. Acinetobacter infections can be serious, even life-threatening.
What Increases the Risk of Acinetobacter Baumannii?
Acinetobacter baumannii is a common but potentially severe infection that can occur in people with weakened immune systems. These include people with HIV/AIDS, babies born prematurely or those who have had surgery (particularly catheter-related infections).
People who are taking certain medications, such as antibiotics or corticosteroids (for example, asthma medications), are also more likely to develop an Acinetobacter baumannii infection. Other risk factors include staying in a hospital or nursing home for an extended period of time and increased exposure to animals (such as dogs or cats).
Acinetobacter baumannii infection is not easy to treat and may increase long-term health problems such as pneumonia. The bacteria that cause the infection are resistant to many antibiotics. Therefore, treatment will likely be required for several weeks or months. In addition, antibiotic resistance is becoming increasingly prevalent, and treatment options may become limited even if you follow a prescribed regimen.
If you develop an Acinetobacter baumannii infection, see your doctor promptly. Treatment options will depend on the type of Acinetobacter baumannii infection you have and your overall health status.
What are the Symptoms of Acinetobacter Baumannii?
People infected with Acinetobacter may experience one or more of the symptoms listed below. Some people may show no signs of infection.
Skin irritation – Redness, itching, swelling, and blisters around the skin.
Eye infections – Swelling, pain, and drainage from the eyes.
Ear infections – A red, swollen ear canal with drainage.
Blood infections – Fever, chills, aches and pains, low energy, and weakness.
The Only Way to Prevent Acinetobacter Baumannii
The only way to prevent Acinetobacter is to prevent the water from getting dirty. This includes cleaning the water equipment, such as filters and pumps, as well as keeping the water source clean by protecting it from outside contaminants. For hot tubs and spas, this includes cleaning and disinfecting the water, cleaning the filters and water equipment, watching the water source from external contaminants, and treating the water with sanitizers to kill potential bacteria.
For humidifiers, this includes cleaning the water, cleaning the equipment and filters, protecting the water source by using a filter, and sanitizing the water with a disinfectant.
Final Thoughts
The dangers of Acinetobacter are not fully understood, but it’s essential to know how to prevent Acinetobacter from contaminating your water supply and equipment. The only way to avoid Acinetobacter is to prevent the water from getting dirty. This includes cleaning the water equipment, protecting the water source, and disinfecting the water with sanitizers.
