Melioidosis infections can present like an infected wound, with swelling or ulcers at the exposure site, but they can also occur in the lungs, the bloodstream or widely spread throughout the body. People with diabetes, kidney disease, chronic lung disease or alcoholism are more likely to develop severe infections. A wide range of symptoms, which can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing, can lead doctors to mistake the infection for other illnesses like tuberculosis or pneumonia, according to the CDC.
