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Report is back about serratia marcescens.

Posted by Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor @windwalker, Aug 21, 2017

Hello all. I just got an e-mail back from Dr. Falkinham concerning our questions about serratia marcescens, which is one of the bacterias that Katherine was battling at the end. This specie is pink in color and is not to be confused with the methylobacterium that we sometimes see in our shower stalls and rings in the toilet. The serratia marcsecens comes from fecal matter and water contaminated with fecal waste. This particular bacteria is often caught in hospitals (ICU mostly) and nursing homes - for obvious reasons. Or could be picked up caring for someone who is incontinant or bed-ridden. So, that really nasty bug is most likely NOT in our homes. The pink slime in your bathrooms is likely methylobacterium which could technically cause you harm, but not likely. Just squirt it with clorox water in a spray bottle if you have it. I hope this allays some of the fears.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

jenn9bryan | @jenn9bryan | Feb 8, 2023

Can anyone help me? I have been so sick, mostly with bad headaches and severe neck pain etc.
My doctor had me send some sputum to the lab and it came back heavy for Serratia Marcescens. I was then put on Levofloxacin (spelling) for five days. I was hopeful because I finally felt better after the first day or two....but I am now done with the antibiotics but the pain and bad sputum is back. I have been sick for months and am starting to feel depressed and scared.
Jenn

REPLY
2 replies
misue | @misue | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @jenn9bryan "Can anyone help me? I have been so sick, mostly with bad headaches and severe neck..." + (show)
@jenn9bryan

Can anyone help me? I have been so sick, mostly with bad headaches and severe neck pain etc.
My doctor had me send some sputum to the lab and it came back heavy for Serratia Marcescens. I was then put on Levofloxacin (spelling) for five days. I was hopeful because I finally felt better after the first day or two....but I am now done with the antibiotics but the pain and bad sputum is back. I have been sick for months and am starting to feel depressed and scared.
Jenn

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Same here. Will add thoughts tomorrow. Hurts too bad tonight. Add 8 years of bilateral throbbing ear aches.

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 9, 2023
In reply to @jenn9bryan "Can anyone help me? I have been so sick, mostly with bad headaches and severe neck..." + (show)
@jenn9bryan

Can anyone help me? I have been so sick, mostly with bad headaches and severe neck pain etc.
My doctor had me send some sputum to the lab and it came back heavy for Serratia Marcescens. I was then put on Levofloxacin (spelling) for five days. I was hopeful because I finally felt better after the first day or two....but I am now done with the antibiotics but the pain and bad sputum is back. I have been sick for months and am starting to feel depressed and scared.
Jenn

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Hello Jenn -
Have you called the doctor back? Some well-established infections don't respond to the first round of antibiotic therapy, and require a second. Or maybe a different drug.
Sue

REPLY
nikiapplesov | @nikiapplesov | Apr 30 8:04pm

My husband has had OVER A YEAR long "UTI" and constant sores on his penis, we have been to the walk in 14 times, each time getting some antibiotic or cream. He's been for blood and urine tests and ultrasounds. Finally a month ago we find he has Serratia Marcescens. He was given Ceftrixone shot and some pills for a week, which did nothing. Then he got the Cefrixone shot daily for 7 days which again did nothing. AGAIN they send he and I for urine tests. His tests read negative, but he still has all his symptoms. Mine says I have Group B Steptococcus, We are so confused and frustrated! What is the cure?! No one seems to know 🙁

REPLY
1 reply
scoop | @scoop | May 1 10:32am
In reply to @nikiapplesov "My husband has had OVER A YEAR long "UTI" and constant sores on his penis, we..." + (show)
@nikiapplesov

My husband has had OVER A YEAR long "UTI" and constant sores on his penis, we have been to the walk in 14 times, each time getting some antibiotic or cream. He's been for blood and urine tests and ultrasounds. Finally a month ago we find he has Serratia Marcescens. He was given Ceftrixone shot and some pills for a week, which did nothing. Then he got the Cefrixone shot daily for 7 days which again did nothing. AGAIN they send he and I for urine tests. His tests read negative, but he still has all his symptoms. Mine says I have Group B Steptococcus, We are so confused and frustrated! What is the cure?! No one seems to know 🙁

Jump to this post

@nikiapplesov Sorry to hear of these troubles. So frustrating. Has your husband had a consult with an infectious disease doctor yet? If not that's the next step I would think.

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