A Leading Cause of Hospital Infections
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a contagious bacteria that can cause infections such aspneumoniaandsepsis.
Related symptoms can include fever and a productive cough.
Infections produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae are relatively rare, and hospital configs have the highest prevalence of cases.
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Klebsiella pneumoniae may be diagnosed with imaging tests and a blood or sputum sample.
This infection must be treated with antibiotics, but it is often resistant to many of them.
You may also experience chest discomfort due to coughing.
Causes
The Klebsiella pneumonia bacteria can naturally reside in the gut and respiratory tract of healthy individuals.
Infections rarely occur in people who have a healthy immune system.
Illness, antibiotic use, or a weak immune system increases the risk.
Community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniaecan occuroutsidethe hospital setting as community-acquired pneumonia, but this is rare.
You may also be asked about risk factors and exposure to people who have had similar illnesses.
Any wounds or painful skin areas will be examined for redness, swelling, or warmth.
Treatment duration differs depending on the antibiotic, but can range from two to 14 days.
Antibiotic Resistance
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative rod encased in a thick polysaccharide capsule.
Certain strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae have evolved and are now resistant to conventional antibiotics.
Bacterial resistance profiles must be checked when testing and treating the disease.
For example, some strains produce beta-lactamase, an enzyme that makes them resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins.
Bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics are often described as “superbugs” because they are so resilient.
Surgery
If you develop an abscess, you may need to have itsurgically drained.
Typically, you would also need at least a few days of antibiotic treatment after having an abscess drained.
Prevention
Prevention of this infection involves sterilizing equipment and hand washing.
These procedures are taken care of in the medical setting.
A Word From Verywell
Bacterial infections generally require treatment with antibiotics.
Ashurst, John V, Dawson, Adam.Klebsiella pneumonia, StatPearls, November 22,.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Klebsiella pneumoniae in healthcare controls.
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Paczosa MK, Mecsas J.Klebsiella pneumoniae: Going on the offense with a strong defense.
Microbiol Mol Biol Rev.
2016;80(3):629-61. doi:10.1128/MMBR.00078-15
