Today, a streptococcal infection in a child is a fairly common and common disease, but not all adults understand what it is associated with and how to deal with it. In this article, we will consider the causes, symptoms, and also methods of treating this pathology in children of different age categories.
Streptococcal infection in a child: what is a disease?
In fact, there are many ailments that belong to this category, and all of them are caused by streptococci, but at the same time, microorganisms have different types (strains). Consider the most common of them:
- Diseases caused by group A streptococci include throat and skin diseases, as well as pneumonia and postpartum sepsis. Such diseases give the body serious complications in the form of an autoimmune pathology (rheumatism, glomerulonephritis, etc.);
- Diseases caused by group B streptococci are found in both newborns and adults. In children, meningitis and sepsis occur, but in the adult population, diseases of the genitourinary system, diabetic ulcers, abscesses of the abdomen and arthritis.
Streptococcal infection in a child is transmitted by airborne droplets, as well as through dirty unwashed hands and through damaged skin. In newborns, bacteria can be transmitted through an unhealed umbilical wound.
Symptoms of the disease
It is very important to navigate the symptoms that occur when breeding in the body of streptococci, because in babies such infections are very common. The incubation period lasts about three to four days. The first symptoms occur after 72-96 hours from the moment of infection. It becomes very difficult for a child to swallow, while the body temperature rises. Tonsils increase in size, and purulent plaque may form on them. Lymph nodes become inflamed and become sharply painful.
It is very important to identify the causative agent of the disease in time, because with untimely or incorrect treatment, very serious complications can develop.
Typically, the disease makes itself felt by such symptoms:
- The first thing that will begin to bother the baby is a weakness in the whole body, a headache.
- Further, the body temperature rises.
- After a few hours from the onset of a fever, a rash may be noticed. Rashes first appear on the arms and legs, and then go on to other parts of the body.
- Usually, the maximum amount of rash appears already on the third day of the disease. Rashes will decrease only after a week. So the streptococcal infection makes itself felt.
A child may have immunity against streptococcus. In this case, scarlet fever does not develop, and the baby suffers the usual streptococcal tonsillitis.
When streptococcal lesions of the skin occur, edema and hyperemia occur. In some cases, bubbles appear on the skin and hemorrhage occurs.
Manifestations of infection in newborns
Bacteria can attack the body of even such a small child. In this case, the disease often occurs in the first hours of a baby's life. Usually the disease begins to progress on the principle of acute sepsis. Focal hemorrhages on the skin and mucous membranes are noted. Body temperature rises sharply, breathing becomes difficult, apnea attacks are possible. The spleen and liver increase in size.
Types of Streptococcus
Streptococcal infection in children, a photo of which can be seen in this article, is a disease caused by gram-positive bacteria streptococci. Bacteria reach a diameter of up to 1 micron. Usually they have the shape of an oval or ball, arranged in pairs and chains. To date, the group of streptococci includes 21 representatives. Designate them with the letters of the English alphabet. Most often in an adult, bacteria of group A are found, while in a newborn baby - group D, C, B.
Having settled in the human body, bacteria begin to produce various toxic substances in it. The most dangerous of them is exotoxin. It leads to significant damage to the tissues of the whole body and dramatically reduces immunity.
Streptococci can retain their properties even at low and high temperatures. But you can destroy them through the use of special antibiotics. Bacteria exist in the environment for a long time, being on different objects, as well as in pus and in sputum.
Diagnostic Methods
Streptococcal infection in children on the skin, as well as in the throat, must be confirmed by special methods, and only then can treatment be started. Thanks to bacteriological studies, specialists will be able to identify the pathogen and determine which group it belongs to. It is very important to do a test test that determines the sensitivity to antibiotics. Today, there are a huge number of bacteria that are resistant to certain types of antibiotics.
Streptococcal infection in children on the skin is very easy to determine if it is caused by bacteria of group A. An express diagnosis can be performed in just twenty minutes. However, even if the tests showed that streptococci are present in the child's body, this will not be evidence that they caused the disease. In fact, the baby can be a carrier, and at the same time, the disease can be triggered by other bacteria or viruses.
Streptococcal throat infection in children: symptoms and causes of development
As you know, a small number of streptococci is in the oral cavity of every healthy person. However, for some reason, their number begins to increase, and this leads to the development of serious diseases.
If streptococci affect the throat, then this can be noticed by the following symptoms:
- the throat begins to redden, and the child complains of severe pain;
- body temperature rises rapidly (up to forty degrees Celsius);
- while the tonsils become inflamed, and white plaque can be noticed on them;
- a large number of red dots appear on the palate;
- the child complains of headache, muscle weakness and fatigue;
- often a rash appears throughout the body.
Causes of streptococcal infection in the body
Streptococcal infection in children, the symptoms and treatment of which you can read in this article, most often occurs due to weakening of the local or general immunity of the baby's body. However, in addition to this, there are other factors that provoke the development of such a pathology:
- sometimes streptococci begin their activity after severe hypothermia;
- immunity can be weakened in the presence of other viral diseases in the body;
- another reason is the presence of stomatitis and other infections in the oral cavity;
- the disease can occur against the background of dental diseases;
- Streptococcal infections begin to progress in the presence of various diseases of the nasal cavity.
However, there are a huge number of other reasons that can contribute to the development of streptococcal infection in the children's body. The doctor will be able to identify likely risk factors after examining a small patient.
Streptococcal infection of the skin
Streptococcal infection in children on the skin (the photo can be seen in this article) most often manifests itself in the form of erysipelas. Typically, the infection is acute, with blood and skin lymph vessels involved in the process. Most often, this disease is affected by young children. Often, an infection appears on the skin of the face. Not surprisingly, because this part of the body is closest to the respiratory tract, in which the largest number of harmful microorganisms accumulate. Erysipelas of the skin can also occur as a result of infection of surgical wounds or against the background of fungal skin lesions on absolutely any part of the body.
Streptococcal infection on the skin of children, the treatment of which will be described below, develops very quickly. At first, the affected area begins to itch and itch. Then the child develops weakness, headaches are noted. After this, an inflammatory process occurs on the skin. The affected area of the skin becomes very hot to the touch and takes on a red tint. At the same time, the boundaries of the inflamed skin are fuzzy. Bubbles may form on the affected area, which will eventually burst and become crusty.
It is worth considering that the symptoms of streptococcal infection in a child are very bright, and it is quite difficult not to notice the disease. Rashes are often accompanied by fever and general malaise. To get rid of the disease as quickly as possible, it is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
How to treat?
Streptococcal throat infection in children is treated on an outpatient and inpatient basis. Moreover, the method of treatment depends on the individual characteristics of the patient, as well as on the degree of neglect of the disease. The main method of therapy is the use of antibiotics effective against streptococcus. With the help of such therapy, it is possible to eliminate bacteria that attack the throat, as well as to eliminate inflammatory processes in it.
Treatment with antibacterial drugs is carried out both in adults and in children of different ages. Typically, specialists prescribe antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action to small patients. Such agents include penicillins and cephalosporins. Such substances are contained in drugs such as Fromilide, Penicillin, Augmentin, Macropen, Sumamed and many others. In this case, antibiotics can have different forms of release. This may be a suspension for children, ampoules for injection, or capsules and tablets for internal use. The choice of a specific drug will depend on the pathogen detected, drug resistance, the patient's age and the presence of a concomitant pathology. It is forbidden to use antibiotics without consulting a doctor! This threatens the development of adverse reactions and serious complications.
Streptococcal throat infection in children, the treatment of which is carried out with the help of antibiotics, provokes the occurrence of other health problems. For example, taking antibiotic drugs will always be accompanied by a violation of the intestinal microflora. Doctors strongly recommend taking probiotics during the course of treatment, which will protect and restore the intestinal microflora. This is especially worth considering when treating young children in whom the intestinal microflora has not yet fully formed. Quite often, for this, doctors recommend taking drugs such as Linex, Lactovit, Bifiform and many others.
Skin treatment
The severity of rashes in a child and an adult can be different, and the choice of a method of therapy is primarily determined by the severity of the patient's condition. Do not hope that the disease will go away on its own, and the skin will not suffer. No, that will not happen. Be sure to consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear. After diagnosis, treatment should be started immediately.
In order for the inflamed skin to itch less, you need to sprinkle it with talcum powder or powder containing zinc oxide. Lubrication of affected areas with white clay is practiced. But the maximum therapeutic effect can be achieved only using special ointments. All of them contain antibacterial components. It is important to remember that the skin of babies should not be treated with products containing alcohol. For children, special ointments have been developed that simultaneously relieve inflammation, eliminate itching, and also have an antibacterial effect.
Preventative measures
Vaccination against streptococcal infection in children is the most effective way to prevent the development of the disease. Vaccination against streptococcus is not included in the vaccination calendar. However, such a vaccine is recommended for children with immunodeficiency who have reached the age of two. Also vaccinated should be babies suffering from kidney and spleen diseases.
A very important preventive method is to increase the immunity of the child. How to do this?
- Be sure to control your diet.
- Do not forget about hardening.
- Take time out for sports and outdoor games.
- Protect your child from contact with already infected children. Streptococcal infections are transmitted by airborne droplets and contact-household methods.
- Always dress your child for the weather. It is very important not to supercool, since it is such a condition that can lead to the development of streptococcal infection.
- Be sure to treat other diseases present in the baby’s body. Moreover, it does not matter what nature they have. Any chronic pathology reduces immunity.
Be healthy and take care of yourself. Remember: a streptococcal infection that has settled in the body is not a sentence. With timely diagnosis and treatment, you can get rid of the disease and avoid the development of complications.