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INFORMATION ON AMP C Further information Please do not hesitate to ask the healthcare staff caring for you if you have any questions or if you require more information about AMP C Information on hand hygiene infection control and managing superbugs at home is available on www hse ie infectioncontrol INFECTION PREVENTION CONTROL TEAM Beacon Hospital Sandyford Dublin 18 D18 AK68 This leaflet is adapted from the information leaflet produced by the HSE www hse ie August 2022 Tel 01 293 6600 www beaconhospital ie Version 1

INFORMATION ON AMP C What Is AMP C AMP C is an enzyme which is normally found in the bowel Enzymes are proteins produced by living organisms These enzymes have developed a resistance to some antibiotics This means they are harder to kill with antibiotics than other common bugs that live in the bowel Sometimes these bugs that are resistant to antibiotics are called superbugs AMP C are a lot like another superbug called CPE Carbapenemase Producing Enterobac terales The difference is that CPE is even more resistant to antibiotics than AMP C For most people AMP C live harmlessly in the bowel and do not cause infection Sometimes though they can get into the bladder and cause bladder infection cystitis or kidney infection pyelonephritis even in people who are generally in good health AMP C can cause very serious infection in some patients for example those in intensive care or patients undergoing chemotherapy If you get an AMP C infection it can be treated with special antibiotics but some common antibiotics will not work If you get a serious infection with an AMP C doctors need to know as soon as possible so that you get the right antibiotics as soon as possible Who Is at Risk of This Infection The most susceptible to AMP C are elderly patients who have other illnesses those with a weakened defense against infection people who have repeated courses of antibiotics people who have previously been in hospital or long term care facilities such as Care Homes People with a long term catheter or history of urine infections is that if you need treatment many of the ordinary antibiotics do not work Your doctor will prescribe you special antibiotics to treat the AMP C infection How Is It Spread How Can I Reduce the Spread of AMP C AMP C is spread hand to mouth through poor hand washing technique poor personal hygiene direct contact with infected urine or wound and contact with contaminated surfaces The best way to stop spread of all bugs and viruses is to keep the toilet rim flush handle and seat clean Ensure to clean your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet before eating and after touching raw meat Will I Need Treatment As long as the AMP C bug stays in your bowel it does not cause an illness It does not cause diarrhoea or stomach pains However if the AMP C bug gets into the bladder kidney or blood it can cause infection When this happens the person will often get a temperature feel pain and start shivering similar to symptoms of most other infections You will need treatment i e antibiotics only if you are showing signs of an infection The only difference If you go to hospital you will notice that the staff will be especially careful to clean their hands after they have been caring for you Sometimes they will wear aprons and gloves You may be given a single room if one is available These steps are taken to help reduce the spread of AMP C in hospital It is important to tell a member of staff if you know you have AMP C What Happens When I Go Home The risk is very small that AMP C will do major harm to people in good general health You do not need to do anything different from anyone else as you go about your normal life Clothes bed linen and dishes can be washed as usual Just as for everybody else though we recommend that you are careful about cleaning your hands thoroughly Everyone should clean their hands before eating or preparing food Clean hands protect you and others from the spread of most bugs not just AMP C Following good hand hygiene practice all the time helps to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses When you use the toilet it is really important that you leave the toilet clean and in the condition that you would like to find it