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Suggest Treatment For Enterobacter Infection On The Penis
Question: I have had symtoms of Balanitis for quite some time. I was treated for fungal infection but it turns out to be bacterial. I was treated using doxycycline, terbinafine and mycolog ii cream for 4 weeks. I was not sure and I decided to change doctors. My new doctor did a swab of my penis and results came negative for fungal infection. Though he said they will monitor swab for another month for fungal growth. The results did show a high growth of enterobacter. He said the bacteria are usually found in the colon. He has prescribed me bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) twice a day for 10 days and he is pretty sure the infection will clear. I am worried about this now. Currently I have mild symptoms of balanits and I am cleaning my penis once a day in the shower using Cetaphil cleanser and then after drying I apply a thin film of the same on the glans, this is as directed by my doctor.
1. How did this bacteria get on my penis?
2. I read that these bacteria are very hard to get rid of due to resistance to a lot of the antibiotics and can cause very serious problems. Will bactrim be effective in this?
3. I have wife and a kid at home? Any chance of spreading this to them?
4. Is the medication prescribed by my doctor good?
5. What precautions should I take?
1. How did this bacteria get on my penis?
2. I read that these bacteria are very hard to get rid of due to resistance to a lot of the antibiotics and can cause very serious problems. Will bactrim be effective in this?
3. I have wife and a kid at home? Any chance of spreading this to them?
4. Is the medication prescribed by my doctor good?
5. What precautions should I take?
Brief Answer:
Enterobacter organisms are resistant to all commonly used antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query .I have recollected our previous thread on your problem and noticed that the swab test has ruled out fungal infection and have revealed Ballanitis to be due to Enterobacter organisms .However you have not mentioned about the species of Enterobacter .
I would like o answer your queries addetailed below .
1) Enterobater are the organisms with their habitat in anal canal and around in perineum .It is from here these organisms migrate towards genitals and is very common in females due to proximity of genitals and urethra to anus .However males though rare are also affected as a sporadic incidence .
2) Enterobacter are resistant to almost all antibiotics that are commonly used in Gento Urinary infections and sensitive to only Carbapenem group of drugs .Hence I would suggest you to start Meropenum once daily .
3) You need not worry about spread of infection to your spouse provided you refrain from sexual activities till swab test becomes negative .I would suggest you to practice safe and protected sex .
4) Enterobacter are resistant to Bactrim so there is no point in continuing the same .I would strongly suggest you to switch over to Meropenum .
5) Safe protected sex and proper personal perineal hygiene and cleaning of genitals with Betadine twice daily will help to control the infection .
Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions , I shall be happy to help you .
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil
Enterobacter organisms are resistant to all commonly used antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query .I have recollected our previous thread on your problem and noticed that the swab test has ruled out fungal infection and have revealed Ballanitis to be due to Enterobacter organisms .However you have not mentioned about the species of Enterobacter .
I would like o answer your queries addetailed below .
1) Enterobater are the organisms with their habitat in anal canal and around in perineum .It is from here these organisms migrate towards genitals and is very common in females due to proximity of genitals and urethra to anus .However males though rare are also affected as a sporadic incidence .
2) Enterobacter are resistant to almost all antibiotics that are commonly used in Gento Urinary infections and sensitive to only Carbapenem group of drugs .Hence I would suggest you to start Meropenum once daily .
3) You need not worry about spread of infection to your spouse provided you refrain from sexual activities till swab test becomes negative .I would suggest you to practice safe and protected sex .
4) Enterobacter are resistant to Bactrim so there is no point in continuing the same .I would strongly suggest you to switch over to Meropenum .
5) Safe protected sex and proper personal perineal hygiene and cleaning of genitals with Betadine twice daily will help to control the infection .
Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions , I shall be happy to help you .
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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