Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Serious Bacterial Infections
What is a Serious Bacterial Infection?
A serious bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria spread into tissues, wounds, or other parts of the body and cause significant illness or tissue damage.
These infections can develop following injury, surgery, burns, ulcers, or other damage to the skin and soft tissues. In some cases, bacteria can spread into surrounding tissues, leading to inflammation, pain, and tissue breakdown.
Serious bacterial infections always require urgent medical assessment and treatment. Suspected or active infections should be presented to a GP, A&E department, or treating consultant in the first instance. HBOT does not replace antibiotics, surgery, or hospital care, and is used only as an adjunctive treatment once a patient is clinically stable and under the ongoing care of their medical team. Most serious bacterial infections are managed through antibiotics, surgical care, and hospital-based treatment. In a small number of cases — particularly chronic bone infections that have not responded to standard treatment — hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be considered as part of ongoing specialist care.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing high-concentration oxygen through a mask in a pressurised chamber.
This allows more oxygen to dissolve into the bloodstream and reach tissues with reduced blood supply.
Oxygen plays a key role in many normal processes within the body, including healing and recovery. By increasing oxygen availability, HBOT can support tissue repair, collagen production, new blood vessel formation, and the body’s immune responses that help manage infection.
By reducing substances in the body that drive inflammation (inflammatory cytokines), HBOT may also help to ease swelling and discomfort.
HBOT is always used in addition to standard medical treatment, not as a replacement.
When HBOT May Be Considered for Serious Bacterial Infections
HBOT is sometimes considered as part of a wider care plan for certain serious bacterial infections, particularly where:
Standard antibiotic therapy has not fully cleared the infection
The infection involves bone tissue with reduced blood supply (such as chronic osteomyelitis)
Standard treatment is ongoing but additional support to tissue oxygenation may aid recovery
Certain types of bacteria are involved
There is significant swelling or tissue damage
By increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the bloodstream, HBOT may help improve oxygen delivery to affected tissues to support the body’s natural repair processes. Higher oxygen levels can also support the body’s immune response and create conditions that make it more difficult for some bacteria to survive and spread.
Use of HBOT for Serious Bacterial Infections
HBOT is recognised internationally as an adjunctive treatment for some types of serious bacterial infections e.g. chronic refractory osteomyelitis, bone infections that have not responded to standard antibiotic and surgical treatment. By improving oxygen delivery to poorly perfused bone tissue, HBOT supports the activity of antibiotics and the body's immune response in clearing persistent infection.
This indication is included in the approved indication lists of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), and the European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine (ECHM). In Ireland, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is recognised by major private health insurers for selected indications.
Treatment of refractory osteomyelitis is always undertaken alongside, not in place of, ongoing care by the client's treating consultant. We may require a referral from the client's orthopaedic, infectious diseases, or wound care specialist, including a record of prior treatment, before scheduling sessions.
https://www.uhms.org/resources/featured-resources/hbo-indications.html
OxyGeneration provides HBOT in a calm clinical environment, delivered by a trained team of chamber operators.
OxyGeneration provides adjunctive HBOT for clients already under the care of a treating clinician, including those recovering from surgery, managing slow-healing wounds, or being treated for low-grade or post-acute infections. We work alongside the client's GP, consultant, or wound care specialist to deliver the hyperbaric component of an existing treatment plan.
OxyGeneration is not an emergency service and does not provide first-line treatment for bacterial infections. Individuals with suspected or active serious infection, rapidly worsening symptoms, fever, or signs of sepsis should present to a GP or A&E department in the first instance. Initial assessment, antibiotics, and any surgical or hospital care should be managed through standard medical pathways. Once treatment is underway and the individual is clinically stable, HBOT may be appropriate as a supportive adjunct.
All clients at OxyGeneration complete a screening questionnaire to check suitability. Where a patient is being treated for an active infection or a slow-healing wound, we may ask for confirmation from the patient's GP or consultant before scheduling sessions.
Treatment course length depends on the underlying condition. For a slow-healing wound or low-grade post-surgical infection, a course of 20–40 sessions is typical. For refractory osteomyelitis, treatment is delivered over a longer course, typically 30 or more daily sessions, with the exact number depending on individual response and the recommendation of the treating consultant.
OxyGeneration does not provide emergency medical treatment. We do not diagnose or manage medical conditions, and HBOT is not a replacement for standard medical care, including antibiotics. Clients remain under the supervision of their GP or consultant for the management of their condition. As with all treatments, outcomes can vary from person to person.
If you would like to find out more about HBOT and whether it might be appropriate for you, please contact our team for more information.
What to Expect at OxyGeneration
Important Information
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not suitable for everyone.
Please visit our Suitability page for further information.
Testimonial
“In 1993 I had become severely disabled with brain damage as a result of an encounter with a rare form of meningitis – Listeria Meningoencephalitis. Since then I’ve been working hard at turning my brain and body back to the way they once were. After the very first treatment, there was increased flexibility, I slept really well that night, and awoke feeling energised the following morning. After the sixth session, the tremor in my right arm reduced to such an extent that I am able to drink a glass of water using my right hand without any spillage. After twenty-five sessions, my emotional wellbeing, speech, vision, mental focus, gait, balance, manual dexterity, and co-ordination have all improved.”
— Anon
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For more information or support, please contact OxyGeneration at 091 394444.
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