Nickname: Group D Strep

Morphology: Gram-positive cocci in short chains

Habitat: Lives in soil, water, plants, and animals and it is normal flora in the intestines of humans.
Disease or illness: Commonly causes urinary tract infections; also causes wound infections, abscesses, and infections of the lining of the heart

Who is at risk: The elderly with another serious disease, persons taking antibiotics, and persons with a weakened immune system, hospitalized patients with a urinary catheter
Avoidance techniques: Good personal hygiene practices. Hand washing, especially after using the toilet. Women and girls should wipe front-to back or “dab” with toilet paper after using the toilet; good infection prevention techniques by health professionals especially with care of the catheterized patients in the hospital.

“I’m not really all that evil, ‘til I pick on the old and the feeble”