To prevent the spread of infections, and definitely including superbugs, concerned patients should clean their hands often. A major awareness should focus on Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (aka KPC).
If we are to help prevent the nightmare bacteria from infection, people should clean their hands often:
WHEN TO CLEAN HANDS
1. Before preparing or eating food
2. Before touching their eyes, nose, or mouth
3. Before and after changing wound dressings or bandages
4. After using the restroom
5. After blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing
6. After touching hospital surfaces such as bed rails, bedside tables, doorknobs, remote controls, or the phone
Oddly enough, KPC is found in the normal flora of the mouth, skin, and intestines. K. pneumoniae has been demonstrated to increase crop yields in agricultural conditions.
KPC is just one of the Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) bacteria included into the nightmare bacteria genre, a group of highly resistant superbugs.
New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) is another type.
E. coli is also what is deemed as gram-negative. “Gram-negative bacteria are a group of bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining method of bacterial differentiation.”
Generally speaking, Klebsiella infections are seen mostly in people with a weakened immune system, of which affects ill patients. Middle-aged and older men with debilitating diseases fit into this group, but anyone with a weakened system is susceptible. KPC ranks second to E. coli for urinary tract infections in older people.
