Symptoms and treatment of staphylococcus

Modern medicine knows many types of staphylococcal infections. Both adults and infants are susceptible to such infections.Symptoms of staphylococcus in infants can be easily confused with the symptoms of any other infection, so when the first signs appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Types of staphylococcus

Staphylococcus bacteria can be found on mucous membranes, on the skin, and in the intestines. Based on the location of bacteria, all staphylococcal infections are divided into three different types:

Saprophytic staphylococcus (in which bacteria are located on the mucous membranes);
Staphylococcus epidermidis (in which bacteria are on the surface of the skin);
Staphylococcus aureus (the most dangerous type, bacteria are located in the intestines, as well as on the mucous membranes of the nose or throat).

Diagnosis of staphylococcus in infants

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The symptoms of staphylococcus aureus differ depending on the stage of the disease. The early stage is manifested by the following symptoms:

a sharp increase in the child's body temperature (more than 38 ° C);
lethargy;
repeated vomiting, diarrhea.

The later stage appears within 4-5 days from the onset of the disease. The first thing to look for is a rash on the baby's skin. If even small purulent rashes appear, an urgent need to consult a doctor. If treatment is not started on time, these rashes can gradually affect the internal organs of the child, and subsequently cause sepsis (blood poisoning).

To diagnose a staphylococcal infection, a doctor will usually order tests. Depending on its possible localization, scrapings from the skin, nasal mucosa, a general blood test and an analysis of feces for staphylococcus are prescribed.

Causes

Staphylococcus bacteria are usually transmitted by:

By airborne droplets (when located with an infected person in the immediate vicinity - less than 1 meter);
By food (with staphylococcus infection of some food products - milk, meat products, etc.);
In a household way (due to the use of non-sterile medical instruments, non-observance of the rules of personal hygiene).

Babies often become infected through the umbilical wound, through cracks in the nipples of the mother during breastfeeding, and also on the territory of medical institutions (in particular, surgical and maternity wards). Children with a weakened immune system, frequent dysbiosis and colds are at the main risk group for contracting staphylococcal infection.

Treatment

Only a doctor can diagnose Staphylococcus aureus, as well as prescribe a scheme for its treatment. The most dangerous thing in this disease is to self-medicate.

Depending on how the disease progresses, the doctor prescribes:

antibacterial drugs;
antibiotics of the penicillin series;
immunostimulating therapy;
vitamins, mineral supplements and other substances that can normalize hormones and metabolism in the child's body.

Comprehensive treatment is always prescribed, depending on the localization of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. With skin rashes, ulcers must be treated. Careful adherence to personal hygiene during the period of illness is very important. Every day it is necessary to bathe the child, change bed linen and clothes, disinfect dishes and other household items.

Folk remedies

The following recommendations are used as folk remedies for treatment:

For the treatment of skin rashes in infants, a series decoction is prepared. In this case, ½ kg. dry string is poured with two liters of water and boiled for 15 minutes over low heat. Next, the broth is infused for 30 minutes, filtered and added to the baby bath before bathing.
The infected skin is also treated with garlic compresses. To prepare it, you need to finely chop 50 gr. garlic and pour 1 glass of warm water over it. The resulting mixture must be infused for 2 hours, after which a gauze napkin is moistened in it and applied to the affected skin area for an hour.
The infection responds well to treatment with apricot puree. The child needs to be given it on an empty stomach, during the day you need to eat about 500 grams. mashed potatoes.
A decoction of chamomile and meadowsweet flowers, dill, calamus root, cyanosis and oregano herb, mint and fireweed leaves, and hop cones is very effective. Take 2 tablespoons of each ingredient, place it in a deep vessel and pour 1 liter of boiled water. This mixture must be infused for 10 hours, then strain and take half an hour before meals, 100 grams. 3 times a day.
Celery and parsley juice is also used as a folk remedy. To prepare it, you will need 2 medium-sized parsley roots and 1 celery root. This juice is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, about half an hour before breakfast.

Despite its high prevalence, folk remedies are not able to completely eradicate staphylococcal infection from the body. These recipes will help support the body during the period of illness, saturate it with the necessary vitamins and minerals, as well as relieve inflammation from the affected skin areas.

As a prevention of infection, it is necessary:

follow the baby's hygiene (Baby Skin Care);
wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating;
treat wounds and skin lesions with antiseptic agents;
try to be with the child in public places as little as possible;
exclude food and confectionery products with or without damaged packaging from eating.

It is very important for parents to remember that only a doctor should decide how to treat staphylococcus. You should not self-medicate even with a mild form of the disease, because further health and life of your child depends on it.

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