Staphylococcus aureus in infants is one of the many inhabitants of the microflora of the mucous membranes. Such coexistence is usually innocuous and does not cause any clinical manifestations. This situation is called staphylococcal carriage. However, under any adverse circumstances, a decrease in the reactivity of the immune system, hypothermia or overheating, exacerbations of chronic pathology, the presence of concomitant diseases, these bacteria begin to multiply intensively. And it is in this case that serious problems begin.
Causes of carrier and diseases
Infect the child can still in the hospital, and the risk of this increases if there are the following circumstances:
- gestosis of varying severity;
- weakness of labor activity;
- prolonged anhydrous period during childbirth;
- premature delivery and prematurity;
- non-observance of the rules of personal hygiene.
As you can see, all these factors contribute to reducing the activity of the protective systems of the baby's body. So, based on the above, it becomes clear that the causes of the appearance of Staphylococcus aureus in infants is a decrease in immunity, as well as resistance to adverse environmental factors and improper care of the child.
Clinical manifestations
Symptoms of infection with Staphylococcus aureus in infants vary from skin manifestations to severe blood infection. Of dermatological problems, acne breakouts, furuncles, long healing of wounds and micro-injuries, their suppuration come to the fore. With high activity of the process, in addition to rashes, there are signs of an organism intoxication with an increase in body temperature. When the respiratory system enters the system, the bacterium can cause severe pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis and purulent sore throats.
Staphylococcus aureus is capable of producing toxins. One of them is an enterotoxin, which, when ingested with food in the stomach and intestines, causes poisoning. The increased amount of this microorganism in the intestinal contents leads to the development of dysbacteriosis and to the appearance of a corresponding complex of symptoms.
Purulent-inflammatory processes can develop in almost any organ, including in the bones, brain, and liver. But if the microorganism got into the bloodstream, then generalized inflammation develops. This situation requires urgent medical care with blood transfusion.
Treatment
Like any opportunistic microorganism, in moderate amounts, Staphylococcus aureus can be found in the feces in feces, in smears from the pharynx and nose. This is not considered a pathology, usually does not cause disturbances in the child's well-being and the state of his health.
Regarding therapeutic tactics, there is no unequivocal opinion at present. The first point of view on this problem is that, in the absence of symptoms of the disease and low or borderline titer of Staphylococcus aureus, treatment is not indicated. Adherents of the second point of view, on the contrary, assert that with this bacterium it is necessary to fight under any circumstances. In this case, the main stage of treatment is the course of antibiotics or a staphylococcal bacteriophage. If the child clearly shows a clinic of a disease caused by a bacterium, then the expediency of drug therapy is not discussed.