Klebsiella is a bacterium that normally resides in the intestines of approximately one third of all healthy people, according to the Merck Manual. These bacteria can cause a whole host of infections from pneumonia to bladder infections. The largest concern with this bacterium is that some forms of it are resistant to standard anti-bacterial treatment. Each type of infection has its own set of symptoms to be alert for.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, according to the Merck Manual, and needs to be diagnosed and treated quickly, especially in those with compromised immune systems. Symptoms of pneumonia are similar to that of the cold or flu, making it hard to distinguish the problem at first. These similar symptoms are shaking and chills, fever and a mucus-producing cough. The mucus in pneumonia ranges in color from rust orange to a "currant jelly" color, caused by blood in the mucus. The bloody mucus is more common in people with other health conditions like diabetes or alcoholism, according to the Pneumonia Symptoms website. Additional symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain that increases with deep breathing or coughing and night sweats.
Urinary Tract Infection
UTI symptoms start suddenly with feelings of needing to urinate often even after just voiding the bladder. A painful or burning sensation while urinating is very common, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Additional symptoms include a feeling discomfort or bloating in the lower abdomen, lower back or pelvic pain and cloudy strong-smelling urine due to the increase of white blood cells. If the UTI is not treated, the infection can spread higher up into the kidneys.
Blood Infection
Complications of other Klebsiella infections include the bacterium getting access to the bloodstream. Once in the blood it can cause a full blood infection or sepsis. The Mayo Clinic states a diagnosis of sepsis requires two of the following symptoms; a fever higher than 101.3 degrees F or lower than 95 degrees F, a pulse of 90 beats per minute or higher, a breathing rate of 20 breaths per minute or higher, and a confirmed infection elsewhere in the body. Sepsis is common for those already under care in a hospital but if there is a concern of sepsis, immediate treatment and care is necessary.
