Causes, signs, symptoms and treatment of staphylococcus in children
Staphylococcus aureus most often affects young children with weakened immunity or other concomitant infections. Often staphylococcus, salmonella and E. coli are found in babies with dysbiosis. Thus, local immunity disorders are the main cause of staphylococcal infection.
It is noteworthy that staphylococci are extremely resistant to the action of many antibiotics, therefore there is always a risk that the child will develop purulent-septic disease.
How can a child become infected with staphylococcus? The carriers of this dangerous bacterium are both sick and healthy people, because there are different forms of infection carrier (temporary and permanent). The course of the disease can also occur in mild and severe forms. Staphylococcus aureus causes sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, abscesses and purulent inflammation of the skin and other tissues. With the generalization of the inflammatory process, sepsis often develops in newborns.
The idea that a microorganism affects only the intestines is wrong. Objects of staphylococcal infection are extremely variable: upper and lower respiratory tract, mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, intestines, skin, bone and cartilage tissue, etc.
The children's body is affected by staphylococci of three groups:
- Epidermal staphylococcus. Among the varieties of staphylococci, the epidermal has an average infectious potential. It occurs on the skin and mucous membranes, but during normal operation of the host's immunity does not manifest itself in any way. Signs of bacterial damage appear only if the host's immunity is weakened: after undergoing surgery, a viral disease, etc. Newborns, especially premature babies, are particularly susceptible to infection.
- Saprophytic staphylococcus. Least hazardous to health. Almost never occurs in children, since the main "target" is the organs of the excretory system.
- Staphylococcus aureus. The most dangerous and extremely virulent microorganism. In normal healthy children, Staphylococcus aureus is latent. Of all the varieties of these microorganisms, it is the most aggressive.
Content:
- Signs and symptoms of staphylococcus aureus in children
- Causes of staphylococcus in children
- Staphylococcus aureus in a child's throat, intestines, nose
- Diagnosis of staphylococcus in children
- Treatment of staphylococcus in children
Signs and symptoms of staphylococcus aureus in children
In most cases (from 48% to 78%), it is the staphylococcus bacteria that cause inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, which are often found in children.
Staphylococcal pneumonia can occur after a child becomes infected in a hospital or maternity ward. The disease often develops with lightning speed, with destruction of lung tissue and other complications. The toxins produced by staphylococcus cause severe intoxication of the body, which, in combination with pneumonia, causes a violation of the respiratory system and blood circulation. A sick child is restless, rushes about in bed, can moan and scream. Chills, sweating, dry cough, and puffiness of the face are also common symptoms.
Staphylococcal enterocolitis is an extremely severe intestinal disease. In 13% of cases, it is fatal. The disease affects premature and weak babies. It is also provoked by previous acute respiratory diseases, taking antibiotics, artificial feeding and disturbances in the intestinal biocenosis.
The nature of the manifestations depends, first of all, on the type of microorganism:
-
Saprophytic staphylococcus. Saprophytic staphylococcus is characterized by damage to the genitourinary system.
Symptoms include:
- Lower abdominal pain (in women);
- Possible development of colpitis (in women);
- Burning and cramps when urinating;
- Pain in the kidney area.
- General signs of intoxication (rare).
- Epidermal staphylococcus aureus makes itself felt by one main feature: pain in the area of organs, and in the later stages - functional disorders of their work.
- Staphylococcus aureus is characterized by the development of purulent-necrotic foci at the site of the lesion. Often it is he who becomes the cause of the formation of boils, catarrhal sore throat, etc.
General and local symptoms of staphylococcus aureus in children
By systematizing the symptomatology, it is possible to generalize all manifestations into two large groups: general and local.
Local manifestations:
- Rash on the skin and mucous membranes. Furuncles ("abscesses"), carbuncles, etc. In children, they are especially often localized on the mucous membrane of the nose and throat. The development of spots, large boils speaks of the severe course of the process.
- Purulent discharge in biological fluids. Mucus from the nose, sputum with impurities of pus indicate damage to the mucous membranes of the upper or lower respiratory tract.
Common manifestations:
- Intoxication symptoms. Headache, fever up to 37.6-38.1 degrees Celsius, hyperemia or, conversely, pallor of the skin, nausea and vomiting (the phenomenon is especially frequent in children).
- Disorders from the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea, bloating, excess production of intestinal gas, etc.
- In allergic-minded children, immune reactions to toxins and enzymes that Staphylococcus aureus secretes during its life are also possible.
Risk factors
The intensity and nature of the manifestations depend on many factors:
- Age. Symptoms depend on the age of the child. Babies suffer from staphylococcal infections more often, and symptoms are much more severe.
- Habitat and penetration environment of the microorganism. The method of entering the body determines the target of damage. If staphylococcus has entered the body with dust particles, lesions of the upper or lower respiratory tract will appear. If with food, the throat or intestines will suffer.
- The health status of the carrier child. There is a direct relationship between the severity of the disease, the brightness of the manifestations and the weakening of the immune system. It is indicated in a quite obvious way: the more weakened the immunity, the brighter the manifestations and the more severe the course of staphylococcal infection.
- A kind of microorganism. The most severe lesions are Staphylococcus aureus.
- A kind of microorganism (the most aggressive and dangerous is Staphylococcus aureus, it is he who in 90% of cases causes infectious diseases in children).
Causes of staphylococcus in children
There are several reasons for the development of staphylococcal infection in children:
- Premature birth of a child. Premature babies are particularly affected. The reason lies in the insufficient development of the child's immunity in the womb. Children born by caesarean section are no less susceptible to staphylococcal infection. Immune problems and infections can also be felt at a later time from birth;
- Violations of the rules for caring for newborn children;
- Failure to comply with hygiene rules. Staphylococcal infection, a kind of disease of dirty hands. Since the microorganism is extremely resistant to all adverse influences, it is widespread and you can meet it without leaving your home. Failure to comply with basic hygiene rules (including the use of dirty fruits and vegetables, etc.) leads to rapid infection. The problem concerns older children (1 year and older), as well as the parents of newborns.
- Pathological processes during gestation and lactation. The mother may be infected with Staphylococcus aureus without suspecting it. A pathogenic microorganism can enter with milk for a number of other reasons. So, infection can happen even during the gestation period.
- Lack of weight. Lack of body weight leads to a weakening of the immune system.
Staphylococcus aureus in a child's throat, intestines, nose
The throat, intestines and nose are the “favorite” objects of staphylococcal disease. The reason for this is the way of penetration. Most often, pathogenic flora enters the body mechanically (children often neglect the rules of hygiene), or with food.
These forms of lesion have their own specific manifestations, they are diagnosed and treated in different ways:
-
Staphylococcus aureus on the mucous throat manifests itself as acute catarrhal sore throat, tonsillitis and stomatitis.
The form is characterized by specific symptoms:
- A sore throat;
- Swelling and redness of the tonsils;
- Purulent eruptions on the surface of the mucous membrane, as well as the mucous membranes of the oral cavity (stomatitis);
- General manifestations of intoxication.
On the subject: Symptoms and treatment of staphylococcus in the throat, how is it dangerous, how is it transmitted?
-
Staphylococcus aureus on the intestinal mucosa provokes typical signs of the development of acute colitis (and both the large and small intestines can be affected, that is, the disease will take the form of enterocolitis).
Symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain (wandering, bursting);
- Discomfort in the epigastric region (heaviness, bloating, feeling of fullness);
- Impurities of pus, blood, green mucus in the feces;
- Diarrhea or constipation, tenesmus (false painful urge to empty the bowels).
On the subject: Staphylococcus aureus in the intestine (intestinal staphylococcus)
-
Staphylococcus aureus on the nasal mucosa provokes sinusitis.
Symptoms:
- Purulent discharge;
- Difficulty in nasal breathing (due to swelling);
- Symptoms of body intoxication.
On the subject: Symptoms and treatment of staphylococcus in the nose
Diagnosis of staphylococcus in children
Diagnosis of staphylococcal lesions is quite difficult and requires a high level of professionalism from a specialist doctor. Diagnostic measures differ, depending on the affected organ.
In general, surveys include:
- The collection of anamnesis includes an oral questioning of the child's parents at a full-time appointment. If the child is of sufficient age and speaks independently, he is additionally interviewed. Take into account complaints, prior circumstances, etc.
- Throat and nose swabs are taken to determine a specific strain of bacteria, for exactly the same purposes the microflora is cultured on nutrient media. Using these two diagnostic methods, a culture of an infectious agent is removed and the sensitivity of the bacterium to antibiotics is determined.
- A general blood test almost always gives a picture of the inflammatory process of varying intensity: leukocytosis, high ESR, an increased number of erythrocytes, excessively increased hemoglobin, etc.
- Specific pathogens can be found in urine or feces.
- If the pathological process goes too far, colitis caused by staphylococcus can turn into an ulcerative type, then an endoscopic examination is performed to assess the condition of the colon.
- Staphylococcus, which has struck the throat mucosa, can "descend" and cover the larynx. In this case, laryngoscopy is performed.
On the subject: Klebsiella and Staphylococcus aureus in infants - what is dangerous?
Treatment of staphylococcus in children
Treating a staphylococcal infection is not an easy task. When it comes to the treatment of infectious pathology in children, the task becomes even more complicated for obvious reasons. The success of the treatment of staphylococcal infection in children largely depends on the timely detection of the disease and high-quality complex therapy, involving the use of special anti-staphylococcal drugs.
The therapy is complex and includes a number of therapeutic measures:
- Local therapy. It consists in applying drugs to the skin and mucous membranes affected by staphylococcus (pustular eruptions, boils, etc.). Used: brilliant green, hydrogen peroxide, 70% alcohol solution, Vishnevsky ointment.
- Taking antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment for infectious pathologies (and especially staphylococcal) should be careful. Staphylococcus aureus has amazing adaptability. Illiterate antibacterial treatment will lead to the formation of a bacterium with enormous resistance and virulence. It is advisable to take only those drugs to which staphylococcus is sensitive (one should proceed from the results of bacteriological studies).
- Lubrication, rinsing. To fight bacteria on the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, lubricate and rinse are used. Most often, a solution of silver, iodinol, hydrogen peroxide is used, as well as special preparations (Miramistin, etc.).
- Reception of vitamin-mineral complexes. Used to replenish missing substances.
- Immunomodulators. They are used to restore the protective functions of the body.
- Transfusion. Significant staphylococcal disease can lead to serious complications, such as blood poisoning. In this case, blood or plasma transfusion is indispensable.
- Operative intervention. In severe chronic angina, removal of the tonsils is indicated, and surgery is also resorted to when there are multiple skin lesions with profuse exudate and inflammation.
For the treatment of staphylococcus in children, vitamin C is always used, which stimulates the immune system and supports the weakened body of the baby. For external purulent lesions, it is recommended to do baths and frequent poultices. The baby's skin should be as clean and dry as possible. You also need to control the cleanliness of the sick child's nails and linen. Sores should be constantly treated, scabs and pus removed. Household items, dishes and clothing used by a sick child are also subject to processing and disinfection.
For the prevention of staphylococcal infection, it is necessary to comply with sanitary standards and carry out epidemic control. Pregnant women, women in labor and newborns must be examined. If purulent inflammatory diseases are detected, they are subject to hospitalization and treatment in departments with an infectious regimen.
Thus, staphylococcal infection poses a great danger to children (both newborns and older children). Especially dangerous and insidious is Staphylococcus aureus, which has a high virulence and toxic ability. Symptoms are extremely specific and are manifested individually for each child. In general, there is a picture of inflammation and purulent lesions of the skin and mucous membranes of the body (nose, throat, intestines).
The author of the article: Sokolova Praskovya Fedorovna | Pediatrician
Education: Diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received at the Volgograd State Medical University. A specialist certificate was immediately received in 2014.
