The most dangerous bacteria for children

One of the biggest killers among bacteria is pneumococcus. According to the information of the National Institute of Public Health of the National Institute of Hygiene, mortality in invasive pneumococcal disease is high and may exceed 50% in septic shock, and 25% in pneumonia with bacteremia. Pneumococcus is especially dangerous for children under the age of two and adults over 65, when the immature or weakened immune system is unable to protect the human body against infections. Treatment of pneumococcal infections is often difficult as the number of new emerging antibiotic-resistant bacteria continues to increase. Pneumococcal disease is also the most common cause of otitis media, sinusitis, and exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. The most severe form of pneumococcal infection is meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia with bacteraemia. Unfortunately, these diseases are often fatal. Based on the research, it was possible to select the most common types of pneumococci and to prepare vaccines to prevent diseases caused by them. Vaccinations should be started in children as early as possible, i.e. from two months of age.

A bacterium less dangerous than pneumococci, but very often affecting children, is streptococcus, causing strep throat. Almost 90 percent of us have suffered or will suffer from this disease during her life. The source of the infection is sick people or, less frequently, carriers. Infection is usually spread via droplets. If the right antibiotic is used, the person is no longer contagious after 24 hours. In most cases, streptococcal angina is uneventful. There are, however, relatively dangerous cases, such as rheumatic fever, acute glomerulonephritis, and in people with significantly reduced immunity – sepsis. There is no vaccine for strep throat. To reduce the risk of falling ill, it is worth avoiding places where sick people may be. In the autumn and winter period, the child should be properly dressed, but not overheating.

Scarlet fever is also the result of an infection with group A streptococcus, and more precisely the action of certain toxins produced by these bacteria. It develops in people who do not have immunity against them. The disease most often affects children in preschool and school age. Local epidemics are very common in kindergartens and schools. The most common source of infection are people suffering from scarlet fever or streptococcal angina, as well as healthy carriers, of which, according to epidemiological data, the population is about 10-20%. The complication of the disease may be purulent lymphadenitis, very serious myocarditis, or acute glomerulonephritis. The disease is treated with an antibiotic. There is no vaccine for it.

Tetanus is an infectious disease of the nervous system caused by the action of a toxin produced by bacteria – tetanus bacilli. When a bacterium enters a wound, even through minor and invisible wounds, it begins to produce a very dangerous neurotoxin that blocks the nerve endings. The incubation period of the disease ranges from three days to three weeks (eight days on average). It manifests itself as hypersensitivity to stimuli, muscle paralysis and may lead to death. Tetanus bacilli are common in soil, dust, water and the digestive tract of animals. Vaccinations are the only form of prophylaxis, as we are not able to protect a child from any possible injury while playing outdoors.

Hib are strains of haemophilic bacilli which, apart from pneumococci, are among the most common causes of severe infections in children under the age of five. Their source is usually direct contact with the carrier or the sick person. Carrying this bacterium is very common. The incubation period of the disease is usually short, from two to four days. This bacterium can cause serious and life-threatening diseases, including meningitis, sepsis, inflammation of the lungs, joints, pericardium and bone marrow. Vaccination is a prophylaxis. All vaccines against Hib infections registered and used in Poland are safe and highly effective.

Whooping cough sticks are bacteria that cause the infectious disease of whooping cough, also colloquially known as whooping cough. They can be infected at any age, but the most severe disease is in non-immune newborns, infants and young children. The infection occurs via droplets. Whooping cough is very contagious – 90 percent. non-immune people become infected as a result of contact with a sick person. The incubation period of the disease is six to 20 days, an average of nine or ten days. The bacteria cause prolonged bouts of choking cough, often associated with vomiting. Whooping cough lasts for weeks. Pneumonia and inflammation of the inner ear, less often pleural empyema and emphysema may be serious complications. Compulsory vaccine protects against whooping cough.

Meningococcal infection is caused by the bacteria of the diphtheria meningitis. They live in the nasopharynx cavity of healthy people without causing any discomfort. However, these people are their carriers. The infection occurs as a result of contact with an asymptomatic carrier or a sick person. Transmission of meningococcus occurs by droplets when coughing, sneezing or by direct contact, e.g. by drinking from the same bottle or by kissing. The incubation period of the disease ranges from two to 10 days, an average of three or four days. Everyone is exposed to meningococcal infection, but children under the age of one and adolescents suffer most often and most severely. Meningococci are the most common cause of meningitis or sepsis. A child can be vaccinated against meningococcus from the second month of life.

Salmonella bacteria are part of the normal intestinal flora of animals. 95 percent cases of infection are carried out by eating poultry meat, eggs, especially raw, unpasteurized milk and its products. Contact with animals or a sick person is less common. Depending on the infectious dose and individual sensitivity, the incubation period of the disease lasts from six hours to three or seven days (on average one or two days). Salmonella infection in children causes diarrhea and vomiting, which creates a risk of dehydration that may require treatment in a hospital. It is about fighting dehydration. In some cases, antibiotics are used. Salmonella bacteria feel good in the refrigerator and in the freezer, therefore the prophylaxis is cooking, frying or baking. Remember to scald raw eggs before using them in cooking.

Although pneumonia is part of the microflora of the skin and intestines of a healthy person, it can sometimes cause many serious diseases, including meningitis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis and sepsis. This bacterium is especially dangerous to infants, especially when the newborn is premature or weighs less than 1500 g and must be placed in an incubator. It also attacks when the immune system is severely weakened. It quickly becomes resistant to antibiotics. Prophylaxis is to prevent the reduction of immunity through physical activity and a varied diet. Good hygiene is also necessary as bacteria can be transferred from person to person. Also, do not overuse antibiotics. Colds, especially viral ones, do not require their use.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted by infected ticks. In Poland, almost every third tick is infected with one of these pathogens. The spirochetes that attack the nervous system pose the greatest threat. In the most severe cases, the disease may end up in inflammation of the meninges and the brain. It is also possible to paralyze the nerves responsible for proper vision. A vaccine for Lyme disease has not yet been invented, and its treatment significantly weakens the body due to the need for long-term use of antibiotics. Therefore, you should be especially careful in meadows, parks, in the forest and after each visit to such areas, carefully watch yourself and your loved ones. After an incubation period of approximately one to three weeks, a characteristic reddening of the tick bite may appear around the site of the tick bite, widening peripherally and becoming bright in the center. Therefore, if you notice erythema, you should report it to the doctor, because Lyme disease is easier to cure in the first stage of the disease. Secondary symptoms appear from two weeks to several months after infection. Arthritis, neurological and cardiac disorders are the most common, although there may be symptoms that indicate damage to any system in the body, which is why Lyme disease is classified as a systemic disease.