The consequence of infection with a chlamydia Chlamydia Pneumoniae causing pulmonary inflammation is pneumonia. Children whose immune system is not perfect enough are especially at risk. However, in adults, chlamydial infection can also cause pulmonary inflammation. The complexity of the therapeutic course is associated with the persistence and prevalence of this bacterium.
general information
As Dr. Komarovsky has repeatedly pointed out in his releases , pneumonia in children with chlamydia as a pathological microflora is a dangerous condition that can provoke serious complications. The process is not only localized in one of the most important systems - the respiratory, but also leads to the production of toxins that inhibit the work of other vital organs. The complexity of the treatment is associated with the ability of the pathogen to dwell not only inside the cells, but also in the space between them.
It is unlikely to be able to cope with the disease on its own, it is deadly, just like treatment at home for any pneumonia. Chlamydia, mycoplasma in children are harmful pathological microorganisms, to combat which you will have to undergo a full-fledged long course under the supervision of a doctor. Pneumonia usually develops rather slowly, at first it almost does not give out symptoms. Chlamydia gradually disrupt the lung tissue, the condition worsens, manifestations of pathology become apparent.
Types and Forms
If suspected of provoking chlamydia pneumonia in a child in the clinic, they will take samples of biological fluids for research, making an accurate diagnosis. It is known that there are many varieties of chlamydial pathological microorganisms, and each of them can cause pulmonary inflammation. Three forms have been identified that are most dangerous for the health and life of the child: pneumoniae, psittaci, trachomatis.
In pneumonia, an analysis of chlamydia in children most often shows infection with the first type of pathogen mentioned. The second is found less frequently. Infection with them can cause pulmonary inflammation, but in other areas, foci are almost never localized. The third type mentioned can cause not only pulmonary inflammation, but also trachoma. Sometimes children get chlamydia. Pathological microorganisms are more often detected in the embryo during the period of gestation, shortly after birth, while the baby is still very small.
Relevance of the issue
More often, tests confirm pneumonia in a child against infection with chlamydia (IgM antibodies are detected by a blood test). On average, one in four patients is a child. A clear cyclical activity of the disease was noticed: an outbreak of the disease occurs every four years. However, outside this outbreak, the number of cases is still quite high.
As a rule, chlamydia is localized in the respiratory system. This provokes atypical pulmonary inflammation. At risk include children up to adolescence. If during pregnancy the mother was healthy and the baby was born strong, without disease, at first the probability of infection is small. As a rule, indications of pneumonia developed due to chlamydia infection (a child has positive IgG - a blood test for antibodies) appear over the age of six months. In the first six months of life, the risks are relatively small.
Where did the trouble come from?
For children as a whole, a rather low resistance to inflammatory processes, infection is characteristic, therefore pneumonia is so often detected (in comparison with adults). Chlamydia in a child can invade the body due to weak immunity, which has not yet strengthened to a sufficient level of the protective system. Immunity simply does not know how to generate the required amount of antibodies to a dangerous pathogen, so there is a rapid spread of infection.
It is known from medical statistics: parents learn more often from the experience of their children what pneumonia is in a child, chlamydia in the respiratory system, and a person whose babies have weak immunity. It is this factor that plays a leading role in the pathogenesis of the disease. To minimize dangers, it is reasonable to include a variety of useful compounds, vitamin complexes in the daily menu. You should eat natural foods, excluding pickled, canned and snacks.
Aspects and Dangers
Often, against the background of infection with chlamydia, treatment of pneumonia in a child who has been in contact with a sick individual or carrier of the pathogen is often required. It is known that pulmonary inflammation of the chlamydial nature spreads between people by airborne droplets, so you can get infected with a minimal amount of communication. If a family member falls ill for the entire period of the illness, until the tests confirm complete recovery, you will have to completely abandon contact with the child.
There are many cases of nosocomial infection when a child became infected with chlamydia in a medical institution. To minimize the dangers, while in the hospital due to an infectious disease, the baby should be limited as much as possible.
Dangers at every stage of life
The pneumonia in a child is quite difficult due to chlamydia infection if the pathogen enters the body during fetal development. This is possible if the mother was ill with an infectious disease or is a carrier of the pathogen. The consequences of intrauterine infection are negative, often irreversible. As soon as the baby is born, the baby already has pulmonary inflammation.
When the child breathes, the pathological microorganism can get on the mucous membranes. From there, chlamydia penetrate the lungs. If the immune system is weakened, the colony grows rapidly, provoking a characteristic clinical picture of pneumonia.
Disease progression
Detected against the background of infection with chlamydia, pneumonia in a child is difficult, can cause complications. Pathological microflora harms organic pulmonary structures. At first, it is difficult to notice the disease, there are no manifestations, only general malaise worries. Then the latent period is replaced by general intoxication, accompanied by the formation of an inflammatory focus in the larynx. When coughing, sputum is separated, containing purulent inclusions. In many ways, the development resembles a sore throat.
Symptoms of pneumonia in children indicating chlamydia infection can be disturbing for three weeks, sometimes even longer. The patient is tormented by a strong and frequent dry cough, fever. For a long time, the temperature is kept at 38 degrees. If chronic diseases are observed, against the background of pulmonary inflammation, the probability of relapse is high.
Responsibility First
If there are signs indicating chlamydia infection, pneumonia in children, symptoms should be treated immediately. The lack of a medical examination, an accurately diagnosed diagnosis, an adequate therapeutic course with a high degree of probability leads to negative consequences up to a fatal outcome. Poisoning caused by pathological microflora can cause irreparable damage to internal organs and structures.
As mentioned above, it is very difficult to identify the disease at once, often impossible, which is why the pneumonia caused by chlamydia in children is considered so insidious and dangerous. Diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, consequences - all these aspects of the disease are currently being carefully studied by specialists, so that you can conduct active educational work with parents, which would reduce the number of neglected cases. Pneumonia is often similar to the common cold, flu, sometimes it is confused with tracheitis, bronchitis. A misdiagnosis of chlamydia-induced pneumonia is a fairly common problem.
Typical manifestations
Pneumonia can indicate a violation of the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract. Neurological symptoms are possible, rashes appear on the skin, the child complains of joint pain. Symptoms can be pronounced, can manifest itself gradually, increasing as the infection progresses.
Suspected pneumonia in a child can be due to increased tearfulness, nervousness. These manifestations are associated with the reaction of internal systems, including the nervous system, to an infectious agent. Some sick kids lose interest in what is happening, amorphous, they tend to sleep. Most lose their appetite. Subfebrile temperature due to aggressive invasion lasts a long time. Chills, general weakness, severe cough are possible, the attacks of which are most noticeable in the evening.
Let's check everything!
Suspecting pneumonia, the child is sent to an X-ray. In case of doubtful results, MRI, CT, ultrasound examination of the sternum is additionally prescribed. In such a picture, the affected areas, infiltrated areas will indicate pneumonia.
With a prolonged course, a change in the blood picture is observed, the concentration of leukocytes, ESR changes. In the sputum from the throat, a pathogen can be found. Having revealed it, it is possible to choose an adequate treatment.
If this is not the first case of pneumonia, the presence of immunoglobulins can be analyzed to study the condition. If the concentration above the norm is 4 times or more, we can safely talk about the acute phase of the disease. In addition to serotyping, accurate information is provided by ELISA, PCR.
What to do?
The therapeutic course should be chosen by a specialist. The patient is shown means to stabilize the immune system, antibacterial drugs that are effective against chlamydia and accumulate in the lungs. You can not use anti-cough compounds, since infection is associated with the accumulation of sputum in the pulmonary regions. If you suppress the cough center with drugs, the general condition will greatly deteriorate, intoxication will intensify.
The main therapeutic course is antibacterial, aimed at inhibiting the life of the pathogen. Its task is to prevent the spread of inflammation to the circulatory system, which will entail complications.
What to apply?
When choosing a course of treatment, one must remember the ability of chlamydia to invade healthy cellular structures, which makes them insensitive to a wide range of existing medicines. When choosing drugs, the doctor will first take tissue samples for analysis to exclude pathogen resistance. You need to remember about possible side effects - for this reason it is unacceptable to choose the means yourself.
Most often, a course of macrolides is prescribed against chlamydial pulmonary inflammation, which are fairly safe antibiotics. Famous names from this group are “Josamycin”, “Spiracymin”. They have been used for a long time and successfully, their safety is proved, the relatively low probability of side effects against the background of a pronounced result against chlamydia. Of the tetracycline series, the use of "Doxycycline", "Monocycline" is common. From the category of fluoroquinolones, they often resort to Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin to combat chlamydia.
The nuances of treatment
It will not work to choose an antimicrobial agent on your own - the probability of harm is too high, without achieving positive progress. The tool should be selected by a specialist. For young children, drugs with an extensive spectrum of effectiveness are recommended. Often the choice is stopped at "Amoxicillin", characterized by rapid absorption, a pronounced effect.
It is worth immediately preparing for a long course. It is not possible to cure pneumonia due to chlamydia in a short time. On average, the course lasts a month, for some - many times longer. Treatment is continued when the symptoms subside and completely disappear. You will have to take drugs until the tests confirm the complete destruction of the pathological microflora.
If severe poisoning of the body is observed, urgent hospitalization is indicated. Medicines in a hospital are initially injected directly into the circulatory system, the patient is provided with intravenous nutrition. Providing adequate assistance helps reduce fever and prevent dehydration. As a rule, after an hour of intensive care, the patient becomes better.
How to warn?
There are several general rules to reduce the likelihood of a baby becoming infected with chlamydia, as a result of pulmonary inflammation. In particular, if someone got pneumonia, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of contact of the child with this person. Even if it is a close relative, it is necessary to isolate it for the entire period of treatment to prevent negative consequences.
An important aspect of safety is compliance with hygiene standards. From early childhood, it is important to teach the baby the rules of hygiene, to control the following. Most often, chlamydia infection occurs through the household.
Attention to little things
So that the child does not become infected with chlamydia, does not get pulmonary inflammation or any other infectious disease, parents should make efforts to increase the immune status of the child. To understand how to strengthen the immune system most effectively, you should consult a doctor. The doctor will recommend gymnastic programs, exercise and rubbing, tell you how to change the diet, enriching it with useful components.
The main objective of preventive measures is to minimize the danger to the child. Preventing the disease is much easier than curing it.