Contents
Staphylococcus aureus most often affects young children with weakened immune systems or other associated infections. Often staphylococcus, salmonella and E. coli are found in babies with dysbacteriosis. Thus, it is violations of local immunity that are the main cause of staphylococcal infection.
It is noteworthy that staphylococci are extremely resistant to the action of many antibiotics, so there is always a risk that the child will become ill with a purulent-septic disease.
How can a child become infected with staphylococcus aureus? The carriers of this dangerous bacterium are both sick and healthy people, because there are different forms of carrying the infection (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 in newborn children, sepsis often develops.
The idea that the microorganism affects only the intestines is erroneous. The objects affected by 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, epidermal has an average infectious potential. It occurs on the skin and mucous membranes, but during the normal operation of the carrier’s immunity, it does not manifest itself in any way. Signs of bacterial damage appear only if the carrier’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. It 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 in a latent state. Of all the varieties of these microorganisms, the most aggressive.
Signs and symptoms of staph in children
In most cases (from 48% to 78%), it is staphylococcus bacteria that cause inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, which are common in children.
Staphylococcal pneumonia can occur after infection of a child in a hospital or maternity ward. The disease often develops at lightning speed, with destruction of the lung tissue and other complications. Toxins produced by staphylococcus aureus 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, tosses about in bed, may moan and scream. Chills, sweating, dry cough and puffiness of the face are also characteristic symptoms.
Staphylococcal enterocolitis is an extremely serious intestinal disease. In 13% of cases, it ends in death. Premature and weak children are susceptible to the disease. It is also provoked by previously transferred acute respiratory diseases, taking antibiotics, artificial feeding and violations of the intestinal biocenosis.
The nature of the manifestations depends, first of all, on the type of microorganism:
Saprophytic staphylococcus. For saprophytic staphylococcus a lesion of the genitourinary system is characteristic.
Pain in the lower abdomen (in women);
Possible development of colpitis (in women);
Burning and pain when urinating;
Pain in the region of the kidneys.
General signs of intoxication (rare).
Symptoms include:
epidermal staphylococcus makes itself felt by one main feature: pain in the organs, and in the later stages – functional disorders of their work.
aurococcus characterized by the development of purulent-necrotic foci at the site of the lesion. Often it is he who causes the formation of boils, catarrhal tonsillitis, etc.
General and local symptoms of staphylococcus in children
By systematizing the symptoms, it is possible to generalize all manifestations into two large groups: general and local.
Local manifestations:
Eruptions 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.
General manifestations:
Symptoms of intoxication. Headache, fever up to 37.6-38.1 degrees Celsius, flushing or, conversely, pallor of the skin, nausea and vomiting (especially common in children).
Gastrointestinal disorders. Diarrhea, bloating, excessive production of intestinal gases, etc.
In allergic-minded children, immune reactions to toxins and enzymes that staphylococcus secretes in the course of its life are also possible.
Risk Factors
The intensity and nature of manifestations depend on many factors:
Age. Symptoms depend on the age of the child. Babies get staph infections more often and the symptoms are more severe.
Habitat and medium of penetration of the microorganism. The way it enters the body determines the object 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 manifestations and the weakening of the immune system. It is indicated in a quite obvious way: the more weakened the immune system, the brighter the manifestations and the more severe the course of a staphylococcal infection.
A type of microorganism. The most severe lesions are Staphylococcus aureus.
Variety of microorganism (the most aggressive and dangerous 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 a staph infection in children:
Premature birth of a child. Premature babies are especially affected. The reason lies in the insufficient development of the immunity of the child in the womb. Children born by caesarean section are no less susceptible to staphylococcal infection. Immune problems and infection can make themselves felt later in life;
Violations of the rules for the care of newborn children;
Failure to comply with hygiene rules. Staph infection, a kind of dirty hand disease. Since the microorganism is extremely resistant to all adverse effects, it is widespread and can be found without leaving 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 parents of newborns.
Pathological processes during gestation and lactation. The mother may be infected with staphylococcus aureus without being aware of it. A pathogenic microorganism can penetrate with milk for a number of other reasons. So, infection can occur even during the period of gestation.
Lack of weight. Lack of body weight leads to a weakening of the immune system.
Staphylococcus in a child in the throat, in the intestines, in the nose
The throat, intestines and nose are the “favorite” objects of staphylococcal lesions. The reason for this is the method of penetration. Most often, pathogenic flora enters the body mechanically (children often neglect the rules of hygiene), or with food.
These forms of damage have their own specific manifestations, are diagnosed and treated differently:
Staphylococcus on the mucous throat manifests itself as acute catarrhal tonsillitis, tonsillitis and stomatitis.
Sore throat;
Swelling and redness of the tonsils;
Purulent rashes on the surface of the mucosa, as well as mucous membranes of the oral cavity (stomatitis);
General manifestations of intoxication.
The form is characterized by specific symptoms:
Staphylococcus on the intestinal mucosa provokes typical signs of the development of acute colitis (moreover, both the large and small intestines can be affected, that is, the disease will take the form of enterocolitis).
Pain in the abdomen (wandering, arching);
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 intestines).
Symptoms include:
Staphylococcus on the nasal mucosa provokes sinusitis.
Purulent discharge;
Difficulty in nasal breathing (due to swelling);
Symptoms of intoxication of the body.
Symptoms:
Diagnosis of staphylococcus in children
Diagnosis of staphylococcal lesions is quite complicated and requires a high level of professionalism from a medical specialist. Diagnostic measures vary, depending on the affected organ.
In general, surveys include:
The collection of anamnesis includes an oral questioning of the parents of the child at a face-to-face appointment. If the child is of sufficient age and speaks independently, they additionally interrogate him. Take into account complaints, previous circumstances, etc.
Smears from the throat and nose are taken to determine a specific strain of bacteria, and cultures of microflora on nutrient media are carried out for exactly the same purposes. Using these two diagnostic methods, a culture of an infectious agent is derived and the sensitivity of a bacterium to antibiotics is determined.
A general blood test almost always gives a picture of an inflammatory process of varying intensity: leukocytosis, high ESR, an increased number of red blood cells, excessively elevated hemoglobin, etc.
Specific pathogens may be found in urine or feces.
If the pathological process goes too far, staphylococcal colitis can turn into an ulcerative type, then an endoscopic examination is performed to assess the condition of the colon.
Staphylococcus, which struck the mucous membrane of the throat, can “fall” and cover the larynx. In this case, laryngoscopy is performed.
Treatment of staphylococcus in children
Treating a staph infection is not an easy task. When it comes to the treatment of infectious pathology in children, the task, for obvious reasons, becomes even more complicated. The success of the treatment of staphylococcal infections in children largely depends on the timely detection of the disease and high-quality complex therapy, which involves the use of special anti-staphylococcal drugs.
It is very important to contact a pediatrician as soon as possible, get tested and receive treatment.
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 aureus (pustular rashes, boils, etc.). Apply: brilliant green, hydrogen peroxide, Vishnevsky ointment.
Taking antibiotics. Treatment with antibiotics for infectious pathologies (especially staphylococcal) should be careful. Staphylococcus has amazing adaptability. Illiterate antibacterial treatment will lead to the formation of a bacterium with great resistance and virulence. It is advisable to take only those drugs to which staphylococcus is sensitive (for this, one should proceed from the results of bacteriological studies, the doctor will prescribe the necessary antibiotic).
Lubrication, rinsing. To combat bacteria on the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, lubrication and rinsing with antiseptics are used.
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. With external purulent lesions, it is recommended to make baths and frequent poultices. The skin of the child should be as clean and dry as possible. It is also necessary to control the cleanliness of the nails and underwear of a sick child. Sores should be constantly treated, scabs and pus removed. Household items, dishes and clothes used by a sick child are also subject to processing and disinfection.
Prevention
For the prevention of staphylococcal infection, it is necessary to observe sanitary standards and implement epidemic control. Pregnant women, women in labor and newborns must be screened. 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 manifest themselves in each child individually. In general, there is a picture of inflammation and purulent lesions of the skin and mucous membranes of the body (nose, throat, intestines).