Everything You Need to Know About Klebsiella Pneumoniae
Your hands, countertops and common surfaces could all be rife with bacteria at any point in time. Not exactly a comforting thought, is it?
However, for our health and safety and of those we love, it’s important we stay informed about what’s out there. Only by doing so can we stock our shelves and amp up our routines with products that effectively disinfect — so that we don’t have to worry about infections, illness and pain.
Today, we’re going to discuss a specific type of bacteria that can cause many infections across many different parts of the body. Let’s talk about K.pneumoniae and how to make sure that it won’t affect you in your home.
Where does Klebsiella pneumoniae commonly live?
Klebsiella pneumoniae — or K.pneumoniae — is a hardy type of bacteria that usually congregates in mammalian feces and intestines. As long as it stays in your intestines, there’s no problem. However, if these bacteria travel to any other part of your body, you could be at risk for a severe infection.
Unfortunately, K.pneumoniae gets worse the sicker you are. You’re also at higher risk of contracting K.pneumoniae if you’re already ill for any other reason.
From the intestines, K.pneumoniae can travel to your lungs, brain, liver, bladder, eyes and even blood. Depending on their location, these microbes can cause devastating, painful infections — or, at the least, frustrating irritations.
While healthy people won’t get K.pneumoniae infections very often, the immunocompromised or chronically ill are at heightened risk. Some types of K.pneumoniae strains have even developed antibiotic resistance, which can make them fiendishly difficult to treat.
What are common symptoms of K.pneumoniae infections?
Because K.pneumoniae can infiltrate many different parts of the body, a K.pneumoniae infection can result in many different types of symptoms. One of the more common may be evident in the microbe’s name. If K.pneumoniae travels to a person’s lungs or enters a human’s respiratory tract, that person could contract pneumonia.
K.pneumoniae is responsible for up to 5% of pneumonia cases that originate outside of a hospital and around 12% of cases that originate inside one. Since this is the case, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the initial symptoms of pneumonia if you’re on the lookout for K.pneumoniae infections.
Some symptoms of pneumonia are chills, coughing, yellow mucus, chest pain and shortness of breath.
While K.pneumoniae spreads most often from person to person, this microbe commonly finds a home in medical equipment. It’s therefore vital to keep ventilators and catheters clean. However, the best method for infection prevention is extremely simple.
How should I work to prevent a K.pneumoniae infection?
K.pneumoniae spreads from person to person, usually through hand contact (think: handshakes, hugs and surfaces that lots of different people touch). That means that the best way to prevent widespread K.pneumoniae infections involves consistent hand hygiene.
Using a waterless soap that is specifically engineered to be antibacterial, you (and others) should wash your hands for at least 15 seconds. Sourcing a soap that’s gentle and moisturizing on your skin will provide the benefits of an effective clean without stripping your hands — leaving them soft and supple instead of cracked and dry.
Keep Your Hands Clear of Dangerous Microbes with a Gentle Waterless Hand Soap
Your search for a gentle-yet-effective hand soap is about to come to an end. Select a waterless hand soap with a satisfying foaming action that emulsifies to effectively clean your hands of dirt, grime and germs. The alcohol-free, antibacterial formula will do its magic in as little as 15 seconds while leaving your hands clean and smooth, with zero residue. Rid your environment of unwanted guests such as Klebsiella pneumoniae by ensuring your hands are as clean and safe as they possibly can be!