Children's staphylococcus: symptoms, treatment and prevention. Diagnosis and treatment of staphylococcal infection in a child

Staphylococcus is a gram-positive bacterium, one of the four most common in the world. It got its name because when artificially grown on a Petri dish, staphylococcus colonies have a golden color. This bacterium has long been resistant to penicillin antibiotics, since it has long possessed a special enzyme that protects it from the drug - penicillinase. Staphylococcus aureus in children can manifest itself in any form - from skin lesions in newborns, boils, suppuration of wounds, and ending with serious general diseases– pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis – general infection blood.
The high pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus is due to the fact that, firstly, it has a special enzyme for melting the top layer of skin, which facilitates its penetration into it, secondly, it produces a strong endotoxin - a substance that poisons the child’s body, and thirdly, immunity to him completely absent. That is, having recovered from any disease caused by this microbe, you can get sick again - the same or another. Staphylococcus aureus in children is a very common cause various pathologies. This is due to the peculiarities of its transmission - by contact. But children put toys in their mouths and don’t always wash their hands, and general immunity, which allows you not to get sick if it gets into the body or on the skin, is lower in a child. Especially for those who often suffer from viral or other diseases. In such children, complications of ARVI caused by staphylococcus are quite common.
Any newborn child encounters staphylococcus while still in the maternity hospital, and since this microbe lives in the external environment, without causing diseases, and accumulates only in hospital wards, the possibility of hospital infections frightens mothers, sometimes provoking them into dangerous home births. In fact, we can talk about infection with staphylococcus only in cases when it is sown directly from the body, from the skin, from a wound, from rash blisters, and not from shelves, cabinets or toys. It happens that Staphylococcus aureus in children it is caused by another microbe, and staphylococcus is found in washings simply because there is a lot of it everywhere. For example, staphylococcus is cultured from a child’s loose stool, but the disease is caused by lactase deficiency, while staphylococcus in this case- a simple inhabitant of the intestines. The incidence associated with Staphylococcus aureus is often overestimated, but it exists. Contamination of newborns with microbes in quantities causing disease– there is always a defect in care, poor sterilization of items for it, and lies on the conscience of the staff. Therefore, the emergence of a “staphylococcus” quarantine is an indicator general level medical care provided by the institution. Although even the most exemplary people have accidents!
All of the above suggests that Staphylococcus aureus, found in children, for example, on the skin, is not always the cause of the disease, it will now always be adjacent to them, but whether children get sick or not depends primarily on the strength of the immune system. And therefore, preventing infection by Staphylococcus aureus is, first of all, hygiene: clean hands, washed things that the baby comes into contact with and everything that makes the child’s immunity stronger. Healthy eating, walks, physical education, a rational lifestyle - and microbes are not scary, including such an ominous one as our object today - Staphylococcus aureus in children.

The human body from birth is exposed to negative impact environment. Constant struggle with viral, bacterial and fungal infections leads to its weakening protective functions. This provides an excellent opportunity for “uninvited guests” to gain a foothold in the body and multiply, causing various diseases.

Such infections pose a great danger to young children, especially newborns. They have not yet developed immunity and do not produce antibodies in the required quantities. One of the most serious diseases is Staphylococcus aureus, which poses a danger not only to the health, but also to the life of the baby.

Staphylococcus aureus is very dangerous disease, which most often occurs in weakened children in the first year of life

What is staphylococcus?

Staphylococcus aureus is a common infection bacterial origin. Getting into favorable conditions, it develops rapidly in the mucous membranes of the body. The bacterium has a spherical shape and has a short incubation period, not exceeding 2–4 hours.

A special feature of staphylococcus is its resistance to external environment. These bacteria are not afraid of sunlight, dry air, or high temperatures, as they die only at 150 degrees after 10 minutes. In addition, they are not susceptible to many antibiotics, medical alcohol and hydrogen peroxide.

Many people are interested in the question: where does the infection come from and where does it live? The habitat of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is household items, food, human hands, dust, so it is very easy to become infected with it. When it multiplies, clusters of bacteria are formed that resemble bunches of grapes in shape. Some species have a purple color, which is why the disease got its name, because staphylococcus is translated from Greek as a bunch of grapes.

Where does the infection come from?

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Staphylococcus was first discovered by surgeon Alexander Ogston. He operated in Scotland (1880) knee-joint a patient from whose pus a gram-positive bacterium, unknown at that time, was isolated. Observations and subsequent studies made it possible to identify many types of infection with colors ranging from golden, bright yellow to bright orange.

Resistant to external factors allowed the infection to spread throughout the world. Scientific research showed that among the entire population globe only 20% have never encountered the disease, about 60% are periodically infected, and the remaining 20% ​​are carriers. You can become infected with staphylococcus in the following ways:

• in direct contact with a sick person;
• through household appliances;
• when consuming products that have not undergone high-quality processing;
• when consumed raw water, which contains the bacteria;
• by airborne droplets, with inhaled air;
• through domestic and wild animals;
• through the damaged surface of the skin and mucous membranes;
• during surgery.

Getting into a weakened body in any way, the bacterium immediately begins to multiply. The toxins released during the life of these microorganisms are very dangerous. They are the ones that lead to severe consequences and even fatal outcome. Most often, children suffer from staphylococcus; infants are also susceptible to infection. Bacteria enter their body:

• during pregnancy and childbirth;
• with improper care;
• through the umbilical wound;
• through breast milk, pacifiers, bottles and toys.

What is the danger of Staphylococcus aureus for infants?

At intrauterine infection a very high risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or the birth of a child with significant pathologies. This is due to the resistance of the bacterium and the impossibility of treatment in this case. Among children under one year of age, the following are more susceptible to the disease:

• premature babies;
• having congenital pathologies;
• undergone surgery;
• severely underweight;
• artificial people;
• infants receiving insufficient hygienic care;
• recently vaccinated;
• often sick.

Since staphylococcus bacteria are opportunistic microorganisms, certain conditions are required for their reproduction.

IN healthy body In a child, they may be part of the microflora and do not pose a danger until the immune system is weakened. The impetus for reproduction can be common cold, vaccination and other reasons.

Complications caused by past illness, especially in cases of advanced or untreated disease. These include:

• otitis;
• meningitis;
• pneumonia;
• sinusitis;
• chronic conjunctivitis;
• Ritter's disease, characteristic of newborns;
• skin infections;
• carbunculosis, furunculosis and folliculitis;
• osteomyelitis;
• endocarditis;
• sepsis and damage to internal organs;
• toxic shock syndrome.

Symptoms and forms of the disease

Foci of the disease are localized on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, stomach, intestines and skin. Depending on the location of the infection, it will have various symptoms. Let's consider cases when staphylococcus in newborns manifests itself on the skin, mucous membranes and in the intestines.

Manifestations of staphylococcus on the skin

In infancy skin manifestations rashes can be confused with diathesis, urticaria, allergies, dermatitis, since such diseases are typical for this period of the baby’s development. You can see what the rash looks like in the photo below.

Only a pediatrician can diagnose Staphylococcus aureus epidermidis after examination and collection. necessary tests. The main symptoms include:

• rashes in the form of pustules and blisters with a golden shiny hue;
• redness of the affected area;
• itching and peeling of the skin;
• focal inflammation with fluid-filled blisters.

Such symptoms arise as a result of the activity of bacteria that secrete a dangerous toxin into the skin - exfoliatin. At the first manifestations, you should not self-medicate, or give antihistamines to kid. You should immediately seek help from a doctor who will take necessary measures to quickly cure the baby.

Signs on mucous membranes

In such cases, the signs of the disease are similar to the symptoms of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections. The child may develop conjunctivitis, inflammation, tearing of the eyes and nasopharynx (we recommend reading:). The temperature may also rise significantly, causing fever and chills. The disease is often accompanied by nasal congestion, coughing, runny nose, and sneezing. The child becomes nervous, irritable and whiny.

Infection in the intestines

Most often, gastric and intestinal infection with Staphylococcus aureus occurs in infants through mother's milk, pacifiers or toys. The disease can take different shapes and provoke the development of gastritis or gastroenteritis in a child. Intestinal infections of the gastrointestinal tract will be characterized by:

• acute, rapid development of the disease;
• frequent vomiting;
• cold sweat;
• watery, loose stools with mucus more than 4 times a day (more details in the article:);
• strong pain in a stomach;
• dizziness, weakness and pale face.

How is the disease diagnosed?

Only a doctor can diagnose the disease during examination. Depending on the location of the infection, a specialist may prescribe the following tests:

• Stool analysis to determine the presence of bacteria and dysbiosis (we recommend reading:). If Staphylococcus aureus is detected in the gastrointestinal tract, the doctor will not only select treatment, but also prescribe medications to restore intestinal microflora.
• If there is a suspicion that the disease has spread to other organs, ultrasound, fluorography may be prescribed, and urine and blood cultures may be taken for sterility.
• A clinical blood test that will show the presence inflammatory process in the body and determine the state of the child’s immunity.
• A urine test that diagnoses whether there is damage to the genitourinary system.

When the results are received, the degree of infection is indicated. It shows the severity of the disease. Let's look at what these indicators mean:

1. Staphylococcus aureus in the feces of an infant is 10 to 3 degrees. This indicator is completely safe, so parents do not have to do anything and the disease is not treated. However, when sharp decline immunity, there is a risk of developing complications of the disease, so it is recommended to increase the body’s protective functions with the help of vitamin preparations.
2. Staphylococcus in a baby's stool 10 to 4 is almost asymptomatic. Small areas of skin rashes may appear here, and in in rare cases minor inflammation of the eyes and respiratory tract is noted. Doctors don't prescribe serious treatment and are limited to vitamin and immunostimulating drugs.
3. Staphylococcus aureus in infants in stool 10 to 5 is accompanied by strong foamy stool green tint, abdominal pain and rashes (we recommend reading:). In addition to vitamin and immune-strengthening medications, probiotics are prescribed.
4. Staphylococcus aureus (Aureus) in grade 6 stool in an infant is manifested by diarrhea, nausea, cough, rashes, inflammation of the mucous membranes, including the gastrointestinal tract. However, even in this case, doctors are in no hurry to prescribe antibiotics. Stage 6 treatment staphylococcal infection mainly aimed at general strengthening body and combating symptoms.

Features of treatment of Staphylococcus aureus

Depending on the complexity of the disease and the location of the staphylococcal infection, treatment can be carried out at home or in a hospital department.

However, newborns and infants are always hospitalized, since the course of the disease can sharply develop into severe form and become the reason serious consequences and complications, including death.

Among local drugs use iodine, brilliant green, a solution of manganese and furatsilin. If ulcers occur, Vishnevsky ointment is applied to the affected areas. If the disease is moderate or severe degree severity, penicillin antibiotics are prescribed.

During hospitalization, it can be carried out complex treatment. Here the focus will be made not only on the destruction of staphylococcal infections using antibacterial drugs, but also to increase the body’s immunity and restore microflora.

Disease prevention measures

It is, of course, extremely difficult to protect yourself from the disease, since staphylococcus bacteria are found everywhere. However, subject to preventive rules and standards can reduce the risk of infection. When caring for a newborn you should:

• maintain personal hygiene of mother and child;
• strengthen immunity;
• monitor the cleanliness of items that are used for feeding or playing with the baby (boil bottles, pacifiers after each use, wash toys with baby soap);
• keep the umbilical wound clean.

Daily washing, changing clothes to clean and ironed ones will not only help protect your baby from infection various diseases, but will also teach him to be neat in the future. Older children should be taught to take care of themselves, explaining the importance of hygiene procedures.

You've probably heard about the terrible and insidious staphylococcus. Your friends only talk about this infection as the cause of all colds and intestinal diseases. In some ways they are right, staphylococcus may well cause various ailments, especially in a newborn, but before rushing into battle with the infection, you need to figure it out.

Staphylococcus is not a diagnosis; you should know that there are several dozen varieties of this infection, and only three of them are dangerous to health. So, this trio of enemies, along with epidermal and sapphorite, also includes Staphylococcus aureus. The diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus in an infant should cause you concern.

What is Staphylococcus aureus?

Cocci are nothing more than bacteria; every living organism has them and can coexist peacefully for a long time without showing his pathogenic nature. But streptococci are a group of cocci. These microorganisms group together and form a unique microorganism.

But it’s too early for you to be afraid, since not all streptococci are dangerous to the body. Of the 27 species known today, only three of them cause harm to the human body, and only in certain situations.

Staphylococcus aureus in newborns occupies a leading position in the anti-rating.

What is Staphylococcus aureus? It is this organism that most often causes serious illnesses.

1. Penetrates anywhere and affects any organs;
2. Dangerous for people of any age, from infants to old people;
3. Drug resistant;
4. Staphylococcus aureus does not take either the sun, or boiling at 150 degrees, or ethyl alcohol, or saline solution, this bacterium even turns hydrogen peroxide into allies, releasing oxygen from it.

This trace element can be present in your body for a long time, and when weakened immune system will rush into battle.

This subspecies got its name from its color: under a microscope, a cluster of golden staphylococci has a pronounced yellow color. It stands out among its fellows with its strongest destructive ability, as well as incredible resistance to therapeutic and preventive measures. Staphylococcus aureus is especially dangerous for newborns - their unpleasant acquaintance occurs in the maternity hospital.

Causes of the disease

Newborns in the first days of their life are especially susceptible to various kinds bacteria. That is why the maternity room has maximum sterility and strict quarantine measures. And if, in most cases, this works, then no methods help with staphylococcus; it does not care about disinfection.

Know! A premature or weak baby is a potential victim of the microorganism. The newborn's immune system is not yet able to resist bacteria, so infection can occur.

Staphylococcus can penetrate through breast milk, the umbilical cord, the baby’s nose, or can be located on delicate skin. The main route of infection is through the mother. You know that every person has staphylococcus, but strong and healthy bacteria do not develop any diseases; the unprotected body of a newborn is another matter. Older children can catch staphylococcus on dirty hands or unwashed fruit.

Which newborns are at risk?

• Children who have taken strong antibiotics;
• Premature babies who were in a pressure chamber for a long time and were bottle-fed;
• Infection through non-sterile tubes, masks, catheters;
• Flu or chickenpox in infancy. Read the current article How to protect your child from colds >>>;
• Weak immunity, diabetes mellitus;
• Contact infection from an infected mother, including through breast milk.

Please note that all newborns can be infected, but with a strong protective function of the immune system, the bacterium will not be able to cause the disease. Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic microorganism that will provoke disease only under favorable conditions.

Symptoms of the disease

Even if the analysis showed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, this is not a reason to run to the hospital or pharmacy, or even worse, stop breastfeeding if the bacteria are found in the milk. Your guideline is symptoms. You should be concerned if the following symptoms are added to staphylococcus in newborns:

1. Increased body temperature;
2. Moodiness or lethargic state newborn;
3. Poor appetite, read the article to find out why the child does not want to eat >>>
4. Upset stomach, vomiting;
5. Cough;
6. Runny nose;
7. Conjunctivitis, swelling of the mucous membrane, an important article about conjunctivitis in newborns >>>
8. Skin rashes in the form of scattered red pimples;
9. Flu with associated symptoms stomach upsets.

Sometimes the disease occurs unsystematically; analysis helps identify the pathogenic bacteria. The danger of the situation depends on the stage of infection.

Where does Staphylococcus aureus live?

You already know that Staphylococcus aureus has no obstacles except strong immunity baby, not scary. It can settle on the skin, in the nose or throat, on the genitals of a newborn or in the intestines. Let's see how and where he shows himself.

• On the skin. If you notice single scattered red rashes in your baby or boils, boils and others purulent formations, most likely the newborn has a staphylococcal infection. You'll be surprised how easy it is to cure skin diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This invincible microorganism is afraid of brilliant green;

If there are cracks, wounds or even a splinter, bacteria can enter the body. There they manage to travel through the vessels inside microthrombi and can land in any organ where they will cause a purulent process. For example, in a nursing mother, staphylococcus can cause purulent mastitis through the skin.

• In the nasopharynx. Every second person has had staphylococcus in his nose or throat at least once in his life. Familiar to you from childhood purulent sore throat provoked in most cases by Staphylococcus aureus. The cause of pustules in the nose is the same;
• Before our eyes. You can’t do anything about conjunctivitis or your baby has persistent styes on the eyelid - check for infection with Staphylococcus aureus;
• In the intestines. It is no coincidence that the intestines were on our list last place. This is the most difficult place for staphylococcus to get into, and besides, the immune system in this area is the strongest. But there are several factors that are on the same side of the barricades with staphylococcus - this is dysbacteriosis. It then creates a positive environment for the reproduction and action of the microorganism.

In the absence of treatment and the necessary preventive measures, staphylococcus, for example, can migrate to other organs: from the nasopharynx it can penetrate into the lungs and cause pneumonia. That is, you should not leave everything to chance, expecting a miracle from the baby’s immune system, but you also do not need to immediately buy antibiotics.

How is a staph infection treated?

1. Staphylococcal infection quite often threatens babies in the first days after birth, when the body is especially weak. Identified staphylococcus in newborns requires treatment in a hospital, in a sterile chamber. At the same time, you should not refuse breastfeeding, since milk contains all the necessary immune-strengthening components;
2. If staphylococcus is detected in the intestines, hospitalization should also not be abandoned;
3. But skin diseases and nasopharynx, with quick response, can be treated at home.

Staphylococcus aureus is afraid of brilliant green and chlorophyllipt; it also does not like herbal infusions calendula, chamomile and St. John's wort (read the similar article Herbs for bathing a newborn >>>). And here pharmaceutical drugs You should not prescribe it yourself to a newborn. This beast with bare hands you won't take it, before taking the medicine, you need to do bacterial culture. But strengthening the immune system with vitamins is not only possible, but also necessary.

Staphylococcus in infants: normal and pathological?

Symptoms include abdominal pain, foamy stool yellowish color, when staphylococcus is detected in newborns in the feces, it clearly indicates infection. No matter what degree the analysis shows, the norm is the absence of Staphylococcus aureus in the baby’s feces. It doesn’t belong there and shouldn’t be in the baby’s intestines.

As for other tests, such as a swab from the throat or nose, Staphylococcus aureus 10 to 4 degrees or 10 to 3 degrees in children over a year old, in general feeling good, does not require medical treatment- only immunocorrection. But in children under one year old, even such a minimal percentage cannot be ignored.

But Staphylococcus aureus 10 to 5 degrees in bacterial culture indicates a significant increase pathogens, it's time to see the doctors.

So, the main rule in the fight against Staphylococcus aureus is preventive measures in the form of hardening, breastfeeding And adequate treatment in case of infection. You shouldn’t rush for antibiotics unnecessarily, because next time you won’t be able to defeat the enemy.

Staphylococcus aureus is dangerous for human body bacterium. It releases a strong toxin that affects important vital organs and systems. U small child aureus strain can settle in the nose, intestines, oral cavity and anywhere. It's difficult to get rid of it. In addition, having an infection does not guarantee that the baby will not become infected again. Immunity to staphylococcal infection is not formed.

Routes of intestinal infection

IN intestinal tract A child develops the bacteria due to the baby’s contact with infected adults or children, as well as carriers of the strain. Infection of the infant is explained by the illness of the mother - infection occurs both during intrauterine development, and after birth, when an infected woman cares for a newborn and breastfeeds him.

Staphylococcus aureus appears in the feces of infants for various reasons:

1. mother's neglect of hygiene rules;
2. fetal malnutrition and prematurity;
3. nosocomial infection;
4. prolonged anhydria during childbirth;
5. difficult or premature birth;
6. weakness of the child’s body due to pregnancy pathologies.

There are several ways of transmitting the strain. In a newborn, staphylococcus penetrates into the umbilical wound and is spread by blood throughout the body. If there are cracks in the nipples, the child becomes infected during feeding. Feeding from an unsterile bottle, sucking on untreated pacifiers, using various items everyday life increases the risk of contracting an infection.

How to recognize damage to the intestinal tract

Clinical symptoms of increased colonization of the aureus strain are similar to signs of dysbiosis, ARVI, acute intestinal infections. There is an increase in the child's bowel movements, and the products of defecation are mushy and watery. Mucus is visible in the stool. Intolerable intestinal colic make the baby cry.

Signs of pathogenic activity of Staphylococcus aureus in infants and older children include:

• vomit;
• stomach ache;
• poor appetite;
• lethargic state;
• complaints of weakness.

Any symptoms of a staphylococcal infection require contacting a doctor, but parents should especially rush to the clinic if their child passes greenish or foamy stool.

On incubation period The development of the disease ranges from several hours to 4 days. The duration of the process depends on the strength of the immune system, exact age little patient and forms of infection. Since these signs are inherent in many pathologies, it is important to analyze stool for staphylococcus, enterobacteria, the presence of citrobacter and various opportunistic flora and determine the degree of infection.

Diagnosis of staphylococcal infection

If your baby is diagnosed with staphylococcus during an examination of intestinal contents, the only cause for concern is high performance. If the tests show no aureus strain at all, this is ideal. But if the laboratory technician wrote “stage 4 staphylococcus,” you shouldn’t worry either, because this value is considered normal in a child’s stool. Parents receive recommendations on hygiene and strengthening children's immunity.

If the presence of enterobacteria and the pathogen aureus does not cause harm, Dr. Komarovsky suggests limiting ourselves to measures to strengthen the protective functions of the child’s body.

How to get rid of Staphylococcus aureus

Therapy for staphylococcal infections found in feces is aimed at eliminating the causes of the pathology. Given the high resistance of the aureus strain to many antibiotics, when working with biomaterial, laboratory assistants determine the sensitivity of colony growth to medications. Based on the results of the study, the doctor prescribes suitable medications.

Infants can be treated with penicillins and cephalosporins. To destroy bacterial cells, children are prescribed special bacteriophages. Their use is justified in identifying strains that are most resistant to antibiotics.

Increased levels of Staphylococcus aureus in feces require additional treatment probiotics. The main therapy aimed at eliminating the pathogen takes 5–7 days. But the damaged intestinal microflora needs to be restored, otherwise the baby or older baby will develop dysbacteriosis.

Mineral preparations, immunomodulators, nutritional supplements and vitamins are prescribed to children to maintain the immune system and normalize metabolism. There is no treatment for staphylococcus at home. The child is placed in an inpatient setting.

Preventive protection against staphylococcus

Fence children's body Simple preventive measures will help parents against Staphylococcus aureus or Enterobacteriaceae. Doctors remind about the importance of keeping your home clean and doing elementary rules hygiene. In the absence of contraindications to natural feeding The baby is not separated from the mother for as long as possible.

The growth of staphylococcus colonization in a newborn is prevented by sterilizing his dishes and all accessories. Adults should always wash their hands before serving or playing with a baby.

Any measures aimed at strengthening immunity are also important. This physiotherapy, the use of high-quality and fortified food, walks on fresh air, sufficient hours of sleep. A child’s mood plays a certain role in the treatment of many diseases. Fears, worries and unfavorable family conditions are depressing nervous system and undermine health.

There is no doubt that Staphylococcus aureus is dangerous. The presence of bacteria in the body contributes to various complications:

• blood poisoning occurs;
• congenital and chronic diseases are getting worse;
• Enterobacteriaceae and other opportunistic microorganisms multiply rapidly;
• If the course of the disease is unfavorable, the child dies.