What you need to know about the dangerous bacterium Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Did you know that there are millions of types of bacteria living inside our bodies? This is not surprising. Most of these bacteria do not cause us any harm, and some are essential to our health. Klebsiella pneumoniae, which we are talking about today, is one such type of bacteria. They usually live in our intestines without causing any problems. However, if they leave there and travel to other parts of the body, especially when you are already weak from another illness, the situation can be very dangerous. Sometimes these bacteria can even become " superbugs " that cannot be controlled even by antibiotics .

Who is most at risk for this infection?

A healthy person with a strong immune system is less likely to get an infection from this bacteria because their body can fight off the germs. However, you are at higher risk if you have any of the following health problems:

• Excessive drinking (Alcoholism)
• Cancer
• Diabetes​
• Kidney failure
• Liver disease
• Lung disease

In addition to this, some other things can also increase your risk. For example:

• Prolonged use of antibiotics : This destroys the good bacteria in the body, allowing bad bacteria to grow.
• Aging : Immunity naturally decreases as we age.
• Being in the hospital: The risk of infection is high due to the high number of germs in the hospital environment.
• Having an IV cannula or catheter in place: These are direct routes through which germs can enter the body.
• Having open wounds: Germs can easily enter through cuts or wounds on the skin.
• Undergoing surgery.
• Using a ventilator to help you breathe.
• Taking medications such as corticosteroids: These weaken the immune system.

How does Klebsiella Pneumoniae enter our bodies?

The most important thing is that this virus is not airborne . For someone to get it, they have to have direct contact with the virus. For example, if you have a wound on your hand, you can get it if you touch the wound with a dirty hand that has the virus on it.

Klebsiella pneumoniae infections are often spread in places where sick people gather together, such as hospitals and nursing homes. If healthcare workers do not wash their hands regularly, they can spread the germ. The germ can also be transmitted through the following medical devices:

• Intravenous cannula (IV tubes): A tube inserted into a vein to give medication.
• Ventilators: Tubes and machines that help with breathing.
• Urinary catheters: Tubes used to drain urine for people who cannot go to the toilet regularly.

Main infections and symptoms caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae

Depending on which part of the body this bacteria enters, the infection and its symptoms will vary. Let's look at the table below to understand this clearly.

How does the doctor diagnose this disease exactly?

If your symptoms suggest that you have a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, your doctor will perform several tests to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the type of infection you have, the following samples may be tested:

• Blood
• Sputum ( a mixture of saliva and mucus that comes out when coughing)
• Urine (Pee)

These samples are sent to a lab to determine if this bacteria is the cause of the infection. A chest X-ray may also be done if a condition such as pneumonia is suspected.

What are the treatments for this?

The main treatment for Klebsiella pneumoniae infections is antibiotics.However, not just any antibiotic will work. Your samples will be tested to determine exactly which antibiotic is most effective for the type of Klebsiella bacteria in your body.

The doctor will then start the appropriate treatment. For example, a cephalosporin or fluoroquinolone may be prescribed. This treatment usually lasts for about two weeks.

Sometimes this bacteria becomes antibiotic-resistant. If this happens, your doctor will treat it with a different type of antibiotic or a combination of antibiotics.

How can we protect ourselves from this dangerous infection?

It can be difficult to completely avoid infections when you're in the hospital. However, there are a few things we can do to help prevent the spread of germs. Cleanliness, especially hand washing, is the most important thing.

Be sure to wash your hands before doing the following:

• Before eating
• Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Before applying medicine to a wound or changing a plaster

Be sure to wash your hands after doing the following:

• After going to the toilet
• When you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze
• After touching anything in the hospital or doctor's office

If you are hospitalized, follow these additional steps:

• Before being hospitalized, if you have another medical condition, such as diabetes, take the appropriate treatment for it and control the disease well.
• Tell family and friends who come to visit you to wash their hands before and after entering your room. You can also remind them to do the same.
• If your bed dressings are wet, or if equipment such as a cannula has come loose, tell the nurse or doctor immediately.
• If you have a device such as a urinary catheter, ask your doctor or nurse to remove it as soon as you no longer need it.

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