Staphylococcus in children: photos, symptoms and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Staphylococcus in children is not so rare. There are many infectious diseases, the appearance of which is provoked by this particular pathogen. The bacterium can affect both older children and infants. The latter, however, is much more difficult to detect. Let's talk about what kind of disease it is - staphylococcus aureus (in children, as we have already said, it is often diagnosed), what symptoms accompany the infection and how it is treated.

Staphylococcus and its species

Start with the fact that staphylococcus aureus is not a disease. It is one of the most famous types of bacteria. The accumulation of staphylococci looks like bunches of grapes (you can only see this under a microscope).

There are several types of these bacteria:

1. Staphylococcus epidermidis. It affects the mucous membranes and skin of a person. Most often, this microorganism attacks newborns and causes dermatological diseases. Staphylococcus epidermidis can also be present on the skin of he althy people, which is considered the norm. But its increased reproduction will lead to various diseases.(rhinitis, dermatitis, pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, vulvovaginitis) and decreased immunity.
2. Saprophytic staphylococcus. This type of bacteria very rarely causes pathologies in childhood. But its active reproduction in adolescents and adults leads to the occurrence of infectious diseases of the genitourinary system (pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis).
3. Hemolytic staphylococcus aureus. The infection caused by this type of pathogen can be complicated by severe lesions of the internal organs. These include, for example, glomerulonephritis, endocarditis, tonsillitis. For children with reduced immunity (subject to generalization of the purulent process), this threatens to develop sepsis.
4. Staphylococcus aureus. This species is the most dangerous to 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 affects newborn babies. In most cases, it is found in school-age children and adults.

The first two types of staphylococcus (epidermal and saprophytic) are considered opportunistic pathogens. This means that they can be present on the skin and mucous membranes without causing disease, as they are part of the body's microflora.

Causes of pathology and methods of infection

The pathogen can enter the body in different ways. It all depends on the age of the child and the state of his immune system, as well as the type of staphylococcus aureus. Conditionallypathogenic bacteria enter the baby's body almost immediately after birth. As a result of provoking influences (non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, dysbacteriosis, decreased immunity), they are activated and cause unpleasant symptoms. Infection can also be cleared by inhaling germs in the air, drinking dirty water or improperly processed food.

Staphylococcus aureus in children can occur during contact with a bacteriocarrier. An infected mother will pass the bacteria on to her newborn baby through her milk. The skin of the baby is also at high risk of infection. The pathogen can enter the body of a newborn through the umbilical wound. Very rarely, but still there are cases when staphylococcus aureus appeared in children after resuscitation, surgical interventions.

Risk group

Epidermal and Staphylococcus aureus in children is most common in the neonatal period. Premature babies are at the highest risk. It's very easy to explain. The fact is that the body of newborns is not yet able to defeat bacterial agents. At the same time, premature babies and those crumbs whose mothers refused to breastfeed, there is an even greater decrease in immunity.

Infection can also pass during childbirth. Therefore, the risk group for the occurrence of staphylococcus in children also includes those newborns whose mothers are carriers of the bacteria. Unfavorable social conditions can also provoke the appearance of the disease, in whichthe child lives. The risk of infection increases many times if there is no proper care for children.

Summarizing a little all of the above, we can identify several main factors, the combination of which leads to the development of staphylococcus aureus in children (including aureus):

• The neonatal period.
• Low weight.
• Prematurity.
• Low immunity.
• Bad social conditions.
• Mother's disease.
• Presence of concomitant pathologies.

Next, pay attention to the symptoms and treatment of staph in children.

What diseases are caused by staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus is able to provoke the development of more than 100 different diseases! Every person has encountered some of them at least a few times in their life. Carbuncles, boils, barley - the result of the activity of the golden type of bacteria. Depending on the organ affected by the infection, other, more dangerous diseases can develop:

1. Blood: sepsis.
2. Heart: endocarditis.
3. Mammary glands: purulent mastitis.
4. Intestines: poisoning, digestive disorders.
5. Bone tissue: osteomyelitis.
6. Brain: meningitis.
7. Respiratory tract: pneumonia, rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, laryngitis and so on.

Infection with staphylococcus 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 purulentprocess (phlegmon). Such cases require urgent admission to the hospital, since in the absence of special therapy, the likelihood of death is high.

Main symptoms of infection

The first symptoms of staphylococcus aureus in children (including aureus) will be the same as in other bacterial pathologies:

• high temperature;
• nausea, more rarely with vomiting;
• breaking stool;
• deterioration of general well-being (moodyness, sleep disturbances, refusal to eat, etc.);
• allergic manifestations in the form of itching, rash.

There are also specific symptoms of the disease:

1. Staphylococcus aureus in a child's feces. The chair becomes liquid, has an unpleasant smell. Blood or mucus may appear in the feces.
2. Staphylococcus in the throat of a child. A purulent plaque appears on the throat. There is an increase and hyperemia of the tonsils.
3. Staphylococcus in the organs of the genitourinary system. There is pain in the lower abdomen or in the lumbar region. Increased urge to urinate. Pus or blood may appear in the urine.
4. Staphylococcus in the nose of a child. Purulent discharge appears.

Staphylococcus aureus in children (photos of symptoms are presented as an example) makes itself felt with skin lesions. It can be boils, sores, spot rash, pustules. Often, the infection is confused with diaper dermatitis and does not attach much importance to it, which only exacerbates the situation. There is also the so-called carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. In this case, there are no signsdisease, but the child continues to release its pathogen into the environment.

Diagnostic Methods

In most cases, staphylococcus aureus in children is found in the throat. The doctor draws attention to such signs as an increase in the tonsils, hyperemia of the pharynx, graininess of the posterior pharyngeal wall. In this case, bacteriological examination and pharyngoscopy will be the main diagnostic methods.

If you suspect the presence of staphylococcus aureus in the child's nose, a swab is taken. Its further staining on a glass slide will help to identify the presence or absence of "grape clusters". Also, the material of the study can be urine, feces, skin tests. It all depends on where the inflammatory focus is localized. If staphylococcus is detected, it will be necessary to conduct 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 quickly 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 cases where the first symptoms of a bacterial infection appear. Otherwise, you can achieve quite the opposite result. Antibiotics (it is with the help of them that treatment is most often carried out) will disrupt the microflora and provoke an increase in the number of microbes. The need for antibiotic therapy should be determined by a specialist. Don't get busyself-medication!

Treatment of pathology

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 quickly as we would like. Sometimes it lasts for several months. In some cases, the previously prescribed type of therapy may be adjusted, and the main drug is replaced by another one.

Treatment begins with the intake of probiotics (lacto- and bifidobacteria). They will help normalize the intestinal microflora, suppress the growth of pathogenic microflora and increase immunity. For additional activation of the body's defenses, interferons can be prescribed.

In most cases, this type of bacterial infection cannot be treated without antibiotics. Staphylococci are afraid of cephalosporins, tetracyclines and glycopeptides, so the doctor, after receiving the test results, will prescribe a drug from one of these groups:

• "Amoxicillin";
• "Cephalexin";
• Cefazolin;
• Cefuroxime;
• Azithromycin;
• Clindamycin;
• "Doxycycline";
• Vancomycin;
• Co-Trimoxazole.

How well the drug is selected is assessed 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, when the skin is damaged by Staphylococcus aureus or epidermal Staphylococcus aureus, the use of surgical methods is envisaged. 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 obligatory use of local remedies. It can be various healing ointments (for example, "Vinilin") or a solution of chlorophyllipt.

High temperature is brought down by means based on paracetamol or ibuprofen (Nurofen, Panadol, Eferalgan, Ibufen and others).

As an additional component, complex treatment includes various mineral, vitamin supplements and other drugs that normalize metabolism and hormonal levels in the child's body.

Folk remedies

The use of some folk methods of treatment is not prohibited. Just do not forget that they are used as an addition to drug therapy and cannot completely replace it.

1. Decoction of a string. It is necessary to pour 0.5 kg of dry string with 2 liters of water and simmer for 15 minutes over low heat. Let the broth brew for half an hour, strain and add to the bath while bathing the child.
2. Garlic compress. The tool is suitable for the treatment of affected skin. To prepare it, you need to pour a glass of warmwater 50 grams of finely chopped garlic. Before use, the mixture should be infused (2 hours). Then it is applied to a clean gauze and applied to diseased areas of the skin for 1 hour.
3. 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 puree.
4. Decoction of medicinal plants. You need to take 2 tablespoons of meadowsweet flowers, chamomile, dill fruits, oregano and cyanosis herbs, fireweed and mint leaves, hop cones. Pour all this with 1 liter of boiled water and insist for 10 hours, then strain the broth. You need to take it 100 grams three times a day for half an hour before meals.
5. Parsley and celery juice. You need to prepare it from 1 celery root and 2 parsley roots. Take in the morning on an empty stomach, about half an hour before meals.

Despite the fact that folk remedies are very common, they cannot completely get rid of a staph infection. But that doesn't mean they're useless. The recipes that were presented above will saturate the body with vitamins and trace elements necessary to fight the disease, as well as help to cope with the skin manifestations of the disease.

Prevention measures

It's not that hard to avoid a staph infection. It is enough just to follow some preventive measures:

• observe the rules of personal hygiene;
• carefully treat the umbilical wound of the newborn until it is completely healed;
• bathing a newbornbaby in boiled water with the addition of decoctions of herbs (strings, chamomile);
• carefully handle food;
• with a decrease in the protective functions of the body, the child needs to take vitamins;
• balance your diet;
• hardening;
• do not give up walking in the fresh air and airing the room.

It is important for parents to understand that it is easier to prevent a problem from occurring than to deal with its consequences later.

Take care of yourself and your children!