How do I Beat Klebsiella?

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is a bacteria that is usually opportunistic, or invades a weakened body or the body of an alcoholic. Common in a hospital setting and transmitted between patients, health care staff can sometimes be the transmitters. Klebsiella does not spread through the air. Contact between patients and handling by staff are likely causes, although this bacteria is common and harmless in the human intestines and feces. About 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths occur each year in the United States in hospitals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Klebsiella is one of those infections, and it may attack the urinary tract, lungs, bloodstream or a surgical site.

Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands regularly. Hand washing has benefits for the patient and others. Whether you have Klebsiella or are a hospital patient with other issues, keep your hands clean with hand sanitizers and frequent hand washing to avoid getting hospital-borne illnesses. Insist that anyone caring for you wash or use hand sanitizer.

• 2

  Take charge of your medical care. If you are not getting well, it is important to take charge or get someone to advocate on your behalf. Ask questions and insist on answers.

• 3

  Get a proper diagnosis. If you have a bacterial infection, request that testing be done to determine what bacteria is causing the infection so the appropriate antibiotic can be used to treat it. Klebsiella is treatable with antibiotics, but drug susceptibility tests are essential, according to University of California San Diego College of Medicine.

• 4

  Request retesting if there is no improvement within about 4 days. Some Klebsiella pneumoniae infections are drug-resistant. This occurs when K pneumonia produces the carbapenemase enzyme. The class of antibiotics called carbapenems are usually prescribed for this infection but will not cure Klebsiella if the strain is drug-resistant. You cannot stress enough the importance of drug susceptibility tests for appropriate care of this infection.

• 5

  Direct your physician to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recommendations from University of California San Diego School of Medicine. The San Diego website suggests antibiotics that will work to clear Klebsiella pneumoniae as well as suggesting how to assess patient response to treatment.