Staphylococcus in the throat is the presence on the mucous membrane of this area of a certain type of bacteria that can cause a variety of purulent-inflammatory processes. Science knows more than 20 varieties of these bacteria, and a significant part of them is constantly present in the microflora of each person on the mucous membranes, in particular the throat and nose.
At the same time, many staphylococci are absolutely harmless, and only three of their types are capable of provoking the development of any disease. The most common of these is considered such a bacterium as Staphylococcus aureus. It poses no danger to humans until weakening of the body's immune defense occurs.
The treatment of staphylococcal diseases of the throat and nose depends on the symptoms, and consists in the use of antibacterial drugs, as well as bacteriophages and immunomodulators.
Why does staphylococcus in the throat occur?
Causes of staph infection in the throat and nose
In the environment there is a huge variety of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, some of which live on human skin. In the first minutes of life (immediately after birth), various microflora inhabit the skin, digestive tract and respiratory system, mainly the one that is present in the mother.
Staphylococcus aureus is considered the most pathogenic microorganism. However, this does not prevent him from dwelling on human skin, mucous membranes and in the intestines.
Staphylococcus aureus penetrates the throat from the external environment through the respiratory tract or from the internal foci of infection with chronic tonsillitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis and tracheitis, with caries, tartar.
Ways of infection with Staphylococcus aureus
It is possible to get infected with this type of infection in several ways, which include:
- Contact path of infection when staphylococcus enters the throat through hygiene items or dirty hands.
- Airborne, when pathological bacteria, the aureus enters the nasopharynx through respiratory activity, with air containing this bacterium. Staphylococcus aureus in such cases in large quantities is excreted by sick people or carriers in the process of coughing, talking or sneezing.
- Airborne dust, when staphylococcus settles in the nasopharynx together with particles of dust that is in the air and in objects of the surrounding space, especially on the floor, furniture, clothes where this bacterium retains its pathogenic properties for up to six months. How else is Staphylococcus aureus in the throat?
- The food route is when a given microorganism enters the human body when certain foods are consumed. Inadequate heat treatment of meat dishes, poorly washed dishes and dirty hands during cooking or eating foods contribute to the development of staph infections. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully observe the rules of hygiene when breastfeeding children, as well as sanitize foci of infection in the body so as not to infect the baby with staphylococcus.
- The vertical path, when a staphylococcal infection enters the baby’s nasopharynx when swallowing amniotic fluid infected with this pathogen, or when passing through the birth canal.
- Iatrogenic, when streptococci and staphylococci in the throat and nose are due to non-compliance with sanitary standards during a variety of invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
Autoinfection
In addition, there is the so-called autoinfection, which represents a transition from asymptomatic carriage of the pathogen to the disease when exposed to some adverse factors. These factors may include:
- Weakening of the body's immune defense functions.
- Independently the use of antibacterial medications, the result of which was dysbiosis of the intestine or mucous membrane of the nasopharynx.
- Microtrauma in this area.
- General hypothermia.
- Psycho-emotional overstrain.
- Starvation, etc.
So, there are many ways to get infected with various types of infections affecting the nasopharynx, nevertheless, it is possible to avoid infection if elementary rules regarding personal hygiene and a healthy lifestyle are observed. An important aspect here is immunity, which can eliminate any harmful intrusion into the body from the outside, so it is extremely important to strengthen it.
Symptoms
Staphylococcus in the throat can be noticed by some of the main symptoms that are most characteristic of the diseases that it causes. The main manifestations of this are:
- Persistence and dryness in the nasopharynx.
- Sore throat, which increases during swallowing.
- Hoarseness and a mild, unexpressed cough.
- Strong fever.
Varieties of staph infection
The development of staphylococcus in the nose and throat can occur completely asymptomatically, however, in most cases, various forms of inflammation in the upper respiratory tract are observed. These include:
- Tonsillitis is an inflammatory process that develops in the tissues of the tonsils.
- Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx and nose.
- Laryngitis is a pathological process that is characterized by inflammation of the vocal cords.
Each of the above forms of the disease manifests itself in the form of a separate set of symptoms that are more pronounced in childhood than in adulthood.
Staphylococcal tonsillitis
This disease occurs in the form of the following phenomena:
- Pronounced red tonsils.
- The formation of purulent deposits on the tonsils of white or yellow.
- Pain syndrome. The pain can pass into the ear canals or neck and increases sharply during swallowing, which can cause a decrease in appetite.
- Severe fever and headache, severe malaise, chills and other manifestations of intoxication.
- Lymphadenopathy affecting the cervical lymph nodes.
Staphylococcal pharyngitis
Staphylococcus in the throat and this disease, respectively, manifests itself as follows:
- Redness and swelling of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
- Layering on it in the form of mucous or purulent plaque.
- Sore throat.
- Dry cough.
- Hoarseness.
- Fever, weakness, chills, and fever.
Staphylococcal Laryngitis
During the development of this pathology, patients may complain of the following symptoms:
- Chest pains.
- Dryness of the mucosa in the larynx and perspiration.
- Loss of voice or severe hoarseness.
- Fever to subfebrile indicators, chills, intoxication.
Diagnosis of staph infections
Symptoms of reproduction in the nasopharynx of staphylococci are not considered specific, therefore it is impossible to make a diagnosis of staphylococcal infection without special studies. Because of the treatment of such diseases of the nasopharynx, it should be only after the pathogen has been identified. For this purpose, bacterioscopic, bacteriological and serological methods of laboratory diagnostics are used.
The most common method for determining staphylococcus in adults in the throat is a smear. Biological material is examined under a microscope, and then sown on a nutrient medium in order to obtain a colony of bacteria. If staphylococcus is present one day after this seeding, specific colonies of white-yellow bacteria appear.
In serological studies, bacteriophages are used, which are divided into four main groups. With a positive test, staphylococcus kills the bacteriophage. It is rarely used due to its inaccuracy and low information content.
Staphylococcus Throat Treatment
Therapeutic methods to eliminate such a pathological process occurring in the nasopharynx should be determined solely by specialists, since incompetent treatment can lead to the emergence of resistance of staphylococcal infection to certain antibacterial drugs.
In the treatment of staphylococcus in the throat in an adult, the following goals must be achieved:
- Suppress the activity of the causative agent of the disease, in particular, staphylococcus.
- Restore the structural characteristics of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and pharynx.
- Stimulate the functioning of the body's immune defenses.
To suppress the multiplication of staphylococcal infection, as a rule, various antimicrobial medications are used, namely:
- Systemic antibiotics - Clarithromycin, Clindamycin, Cefotaxime, Amoxiclav, and others, the use of which is possible with the spread of staphylococcal infection in other parts of the body, as well as in severe cases.
- Antistaphylococcal or complex bacteriophages that complement the basic antibiotic therapy. Similar drugs are viruses that can infect staphylococci. For example, a complex bacteriophage contains viruses from staphylococcus, streptococcus and Klebsiella. As a monotherapy, this tool can be used in childhood. What else involves the treatment of staph in the nose and throat?
- Immunomodulators, the use of which is an important part of antistaphylococcal treatment. Such medicines include: “Antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin”, “IRS-19”, “Taktivin”, “Ribomunal”, “Poludan” and others.
All these drugs are usually taken during the acute period of an infectious disease, and then in reduced doses for two weeks after the symptoms disappear.
Is it possible to cure Staphylococcus aureus in an adult in the throat with traditional medicine?
Treatment with folk remedies
It is impossible to cure pathologies caused by this pathogen only with the help of folk methods. However, they can effectively complement classical therapy, alleviating symptoms and significantly speeding up recovery.
These funds include:
- Apricots and currants, which contain ascorbic acid, antioxidants, pectin and many other useful substances.
- Rosehip infusion.
- A decoction of the roots of burdock or echinacea. The tool is used, as a rule, to gargle.
- Infusion of thyme, birch buds and yarrow leaves.
Topical treatment of diseases caused by staphylococcus
The following medications help locally fight staphylococcal nasopharyngeal infections:
- "Chlorophyllipt";
- "Chlorhexidine";
- Tantum Verde;
- Hexoral;
- Miramistin.
Thus, we figured out what diseases in the throat and nose causes staphylococcus. Also examined medications and alternative methods to fight infection. It is important to understand that if the first symptoms of the disease occur, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-treatment is fraught with consequences.