Staphylococcus in children is not so rare. There are many infectious diseases, the appearance of which provokes precisely this pathogen. The bacterium can affect both older children and infants. Moreover, the latter is much more difficult to identify. Let's talk about what kind of disease it is - staphylococcus (in children, as we have already said, it is often diagnosed), what symptoms accompany infection and how treatment is going.
Staphylococcus aureus and its species
To begin with, staphylococcus is not a disease. This is one of the most famous types of bacteria. The accumulation of staphylococci is similar to grapes (you can see this only under a microscope).
There are several types of these bacteria:
- Epidermal staphylococcus. It affects the mucous membranes and skin of a person. Most often, this microorganism attacks newborns and causes dermatological diseases. Epidermal staphylococcus can be present on the skin of healthy people, which is considered the norm. But its increased reproduction will lead to various diseases (rhinitis, dermatitis, pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, vulvovaginitis) and a decrease in immunity.
- Saprophytic staphylococcus. This type of bacteria rarely causes pathology in childhood. But its active reproduction in adolescents and adults leads to the occurrence of infectious diseases of the genitourinary system (pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis).
- Hemolytic staphylococcus. The infection caused by this type of pathogen can be complicated by severe damage to the internal organs. These include, for example, glomerulonephritis, endocarditis, tonsillitis. For children with reduced immunity (subject to generalization of the purulent process), this threatens the development of sepsis.
- Staphylococcus aureus. This species is the most dangerous for humans and is difficult to treat. Staphylococcus aureus is very resistant to environmental factors, does not die even under the influence of antiseptics, disinfectants and ultraviolet rays. This microorganism rarely infects newborn babies. In most cases, it is found in school children and adults.
The first two types of staphylococcus (epidermal and saprophytic) are considered opportunistic. This means that they can be present on the skin and mucous membranes without causing diseases, since they are part of the microflora of the body.
Causes of pathology and methods of infection
The causative agent can enter the body in various ways. It all depends on the age of the child and the state of his immune system, as well as the type of staphylococcus. Conditionally pathogenic bacteria enter the baby’s body almost immediately after birth. As a result of provocative effects (non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, dysbiosis, decreased immunity), they are activated and cause unpleasant symptoms. Infection can also occur by inhaling germs with air, drinking dirty water or improperly processed food.
Staphylococcus in children can occur during contact with a bacteriocarrier. An infected mother will pass on the bacteria to her newborn baby through milk. The skin of the baby is also at great risk of infection. The causative agent can enter the newborn through the umbilical wound. Very rarely, but still there are cases when staphylococcus in children appeared after resuscitation, surgical interventions.
Risk group
Epidermal and Staphylococcus aureus in children is most often found in the neonatal period. At the same time, premature babies are most at risk. It is very simple to explain. The fact is that the body of newborn children is not yet able to defeat bacterial agents. In this case, premature babies and those babies whose mothers refused to breastfeed, there is an even greater decrease in immunity.
Infection can pass during childbirth. Therefore, the risk group for staphylococcus in children also includes those newborns whose mothers are carriers of bacteria. Adverse social conditions in which the child lives can also trigger the appearance of the disease. The risk of infection increases at times if there is no proper care for children.
Summarizing all of the above, a few basic factors can be identified, the combination of which leads to the development of staphylococcus in children (including golden):
- The period of the newborn.
- Low weight.
- Prematurity.
- Low immunity.
- Bad social conditions.
- The presence of diseases in the mother.
- The presence of concomitant pathologies.
Next, attention should be paid to the symptoms and treatment of staphylococcus in children.
What diseases does staphylococcus cause?
Staphylococcus is able to provoke the development of more than 100 different diseases! With some of them at least several times in life, every person has encountered. Carbuncle, boils, barley - the result of the activity of the golden species of bacteria. Depending on the organ affected by the infection, other more dangerous diseases may develop:
- Blood: sepsis.
- Heart: endocarditis.
- Mammary glands: purulent mastitis.
- Intestines: poisoning, digestive upsets.
- Bone tissue: osteomyelitis.
- Brain: meningitis.
- Respiratory tract: pneumonia, rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, laryngitis and so on.
Staph infection is also dangerous because the bacterium can cause a generalized infection. That, in turn, will affect most or even all organs. And the growth of its colony on the skin can develop into an extensive purulent process (phlegmon). Such cases require urgent placement in a hospital, since in the absence of special therapy, the probability of death is high.
The main symptoms of infection
The first symptoms of staphylococcus in children (including golden) will be the same as with other bacterial pathologies:
- heat;
- nausea, in more rare cases - with vomiting;
- violation of the stool;
- worsening of general health (moodiness, sleep disturbances, refusal to eat, etc.);
- allergic manifestations in the form of itching, rash.
There are also specific symptoms of the disease:
- Staphylococcus in the feces of a child. The stool becomes loose, has an unpleasant odor. In stool, impurities of blood or mucus may appear.
- Staphylococcus in the throat of a child. A purulent plaque appears on the throat. There is an increase and hyperemia of the tonsils.
- Staphylococcus in the genitourinary system. There is pain in the lower abdomen or in the lumbar region. Urge to urinate. Pus or blood may appear in the urine.
- Staphylococcus in the nose of a child. Purulent discharge appears.
Staphylococcus aureus in children (photos of symptoms are presented as an example) makes skin lesions known. It can be boils, sores, pinpoint rash, abscesses. Often, the infection is confused with diaper dermatitis and does not attach much importance to it, which only exacerbates the situation. There is the so-called carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. In this case, there are no signs of the disease, but the child continues to excrete its pathogen into the environment.
Diagnostic Methods
In most cases, staphylococcus in children is found in the throat. The doctor draws attention to such signs as enlarged tonsils, hyperemia of the pharynx, and granularity of the posterior pharyngeal wall. In this case, the main diagnostic methods will be bacteriological research and pharyngoscopy.
If staphylococcus is suspected, a smear is taken in the child's nose. Its further staining on a glass slide will help to identify the presence or absence of "grapes". Also, the study material may be urine, feces, skin tests. It all depends on where the inflammatory focus is located. If staphylococcus is found, there will be a need for another analysis - a laboratory test for sensitivity to antibiotics. Based on its results, the specialist will select the most effective drug so that recovery occurs as soon as possible.
When treatment is needed
It is important to remember that the presence of staphylococcus in the body is not an indication for treatment! The appointment of special therapy is necessary only in those cases when the first symptoms of a bacterial infection appear. Otherwise, it will be possible to achieve the exact opposite result. Antibiotics (it is with the help of them that treatment is most often performed) will disrupt the microflora and provoke an increase in the number of microbes. The need for antibiotic therapy should be determined by a specialist. Do not self-medicate!
Pathology treatment
Treatment of staphylococcus in children is to suppress the growth of bacteria, relieve inflammation and restore immunity. It is impossible to completely get rid of the pathogen, and this is the norm. Treatment of staphylococcus in children does not always go as fast as one would like. Sometimes it lasts for several months. In some cases, an adjustment of the previously prescribed type of therapy may occur, and the main drug is replaced by another.
Treatment begins with the use of probiotics (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria). They will help normalize the intestinal microflora, suppress the growth of pathogenic microflora and increase immunity. To further enhance the body's defenses, interferons can be prescribed.
In most cases, treatment of this type of bacterial infection cannot do without antibiotics. Staphylococci are afraid of cephalosporins, tetracyclines and glycopeptides, so the doctor after receiving the test results will prescribe a drug in one of these groups:
- Amoxicillin;
- "Cephalexin";
- "Cefazolin";
- "Cefuroxime";
- "Azithromycin";
- Clindamycin;
- "Doxycycline";
- Vancomycin
- "Co-trimoxazole."
How well the drug is selected is evaluated 3 days after the start of its use. During this time, the number of general and local signs of infection should decrease. If this does not happen, a decision is made to replace the drug. If all is well, treatment continues for another 7-10 days.
Although it is worth noting that in some situations, treatment can take place without antibiotic therapy. For example, in case of skin lesions with golden or epidermal staphylococcus, the use of surgical methods is provided. The doctor opens the abscess, removes pus from the wound and treats it with antiseptics. Despite the fact that staphylococcus is very resistant to many drugs, it dies under the influence of ordinary brilliant green.
Treatment of staphylococcus in the throat of a child is carried out with the mandatory use of local funds. It can be various healing ointments (for example, “Vinylinum”) or a solution of chlorophyllipt.
High temperature is brought down with paracetamol or ibuprofen-based products (Nurofen, Panadol, Eferalgan, Ibufen and others).
As an additional component, complex treatment includes various mineral, vitamin supplements and other drugs that normalize the metabolism and hormonal levels in the child's body.
Folk remedies
The use of some alternative methods of treatment is also not prohibited. Just do not forget that they are used as an adjunct to drug therapy and cannot completely replace it.
- A decoction of a string. It is necessary to fill in with 2 liters of water 0.5 kg of dry succession and simmer for 15 minutes. Give the broth for half an hour to insist, strain and add to the bath while bathing the child.
- Garlic compress. The tool is suitable for treating affected skin. To prepare it, you need to pour 50 grams of finely chopped garlic in a glass of warm water. Before use, the mixture should be infused (2 hours). Then it is applied to a clean gauze cloth and applied to the affected areas of the skin for 1 hour.
- Apricot puree. All you need to do is give it to your child on an empty stomach. During the day, the baby should eat about 500 grams of mashed potatoes.
- A decoction of medicinal plants. You need to take 2 tablespoons of flowers of meadowsweet, chamomile, dill, herbs of oregano and cyanosis, leaves of fireweed and mint, hop cones. Pour all this with 1 liter of boiled water and insist for 10 hours, after which strain the broth. You need to take it 100 grams three times a day for half an hour before eating.
- Parsley and celery juice. You need to cook it from 1 celery root and 2 parsley roots. Take the product in the morning on an empty stomach, about half an hour before a meal.
Despite the fact that folk remedies are very common, they cannot completely get rid of staphylococcal infection. But this does not mean that they are useless. The recipes that were presented above will saturate the body with vitamins and minerals necessary to fight the disease, and also help to cope with skin manifestations of the disease.
Preventive measures
The occurrence of staphylococcal infection is not so difficult to avoid. It is enough to simply follow some preventive measures:
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- carefully treat the umbilical wound of the newborn until it is completely healed;
- bathe a newborn baby in boiled water with the addition of decoctions of herbs (string, chamomile);
- thoroughly process food;
- with a decrease in the protective functions of the body, the child needs to take vitamins;
- balance your diet;
- conduct hardening;
- Do not give up walks in the fresh air and airing the room.
It is important for parents to understand that it is easier to prevent a problem from arising than to deal with it later and deal with the consequences.
Take care of yourself and your children!