What are the signs of a staph infection on the face. How is a staph infection on the face diagnosed. What treatments are available for facial staph infections. How can you prevent staph infections on the face.

Understanding Staph Infections: Causes and Transmission

Staphylococcus bacteria, commonly known as staph, are a group of microorganisms that naturally reside on human skin and in the nasal passages. While these bacteria are typically harmless, they can cause infections when they enter the body through cuts, scrapes, or other openings in the skin.

Staph infections can occur anywhere on the body, but facial infections are particularly concerning due to their visibility and proximity to critical sensory organs. Understanding how these infections spread is crucial for prevention and management.

How Do Staph Infections Spread?

• Close skin-to-skin contact
• Sharing personal items like towels or razors
• Contact with contaminated surfaces
• Droplets from coughs and sneezes (less common)

It’s important to note that many people carry staph bacteria on their skin without developing an infection. However, when the skin’s barrier is compromised, these opportunistic bacteria can cause a range of skin problems.

Recognizing Facial Staph Infection Symptoms

Identifying a staph infection on the face early is crucial for prompt treatment and prevention of complications. The symptoms can vary, but there are several common signs to watch for:

Key Symptoms of Facial Staph Infections

1. Painful red lumps or bumps on the skin
2. Hot, red, and swollen skin
3. Sores, crusts, or blisters
4. Sore, red eyelids or eyes

These symptoms may manifest in different forms, each potentially indicating a specific type of staph infection.

Is it always easy to spot a staph infection on the face?

Not always. While many staph infections present with visible symptoms, the appearance can vary based on skin tone and the specific type of infection. On darker skin, redness may be less noticeable, making it important to pay attention to other symptoms like swelling, warmth, or pain.

Types of Facial Staph Infections

Staph infections on the face can take various forms, each with its own characteristics and treatment approaches. Understanding these different types can help in identifying and addressing the infection more effectively.

Boils and Carbuncles

Boils are painful, pus-filled bumps that develop when bacteria infect hair follicles. When multiple boils cluster together, it’s called a carbuncle. These infections often start as small red bumps and can grow larger and more painful over time.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a deeper skin infection that causes the affected area to become hot, red, and swollen. On the face, it can be particularly concerning due to the risk of spreading to the eyes or brain.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that often affects children. It presents as sores or blisters that can rupture and form honey-colored crusts. While it commonly occurs around the nose and mouth, it can affect other parts of the face as well.

Styes and Conjunctivitis

Staph bacteria can also cause eye-related infections. A stye is a painful, red bump on the eyelid, while conjunctivitis (pink eye) affects the eye itself, causing redness, itching, and discharge.

Diagnosing Staph Infections on the Face

Proper diagnosis of a facial staph infection is crucial for effective treatment. While some cases may be apparent based on visual symptoms, others may require more thorough examination and testing.

How do healthcare providers diagnose facial staph infections?

Healthcare providers typically follow a multi-step process to diagnose staph infections:

1. Visual examination of the affected area
2. Review of medical history and symptoms
3. Skin culture or swab test to identify the specific bacteria
4. Blood tests in cases of suspected systemic infection

In some cases, additional imaging tests like CT scans may be necessary, especially if there’s concern about deeper tissue involvement or spread to nearby structures.

Treatment Options for Facial Staph Infections

The treatment of staph infections on the face depends on the severity and type of infection. While some mild cases may resolve on their own, many require medical intervention to prevent complications and promote faster healing.

Common Treatment Approaches

• Topical antibiotics for mild, localized infections
• Oral antibiotics for more widespread or severe infections
• Drainage of boils or abscesses by a healthcare professional
• Warm compresses to promote drainage and relieve pain
• Proper wound care and hygiene to prevent spread

Can facial staph infections be treated at home?

While some mild staph infections may improve with home care, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider for facial infections. The face’s proximity to important sensory organs and the risk of spreading make professional evaluation essential. Never attempt to drain or pop infected areas on your own, as this can lead to further complications and scarring.

Preventing Staph Infections on the Face

Prevention is key when it comes to staph infections, especially on the face. While it’s not always possible to avoid exposure to staph bacteria, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of infection.

Effective Prevention Strategies

1. Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water
2. Keep your face clean and avoid touching it unnecessarily
3. Don’t share personal items like towels, washcloths, or makeup
4. Clean and cover any cuts or scrapes on your face promptly
5. Maintain overall skin health through proper skincare and nutrition

For individuals prone to recurrent staph infections, healthcare providers may recommend additional preventive measures, such as using antibacterial soaps or nasal ointments to reduce bacterial colonization.

Potential Complications of Untreated Facial Staph Infections

While many staph infections remain localized and resolve with proper treatment, untreated or severe infections can lead to serious complications. The face’s rich blood supply and proximity to critical structures make prompt treatment especially important.

What are the risks of leaving a facial staph infection untreated?

Potential complications of untreated facial staph infections include:

• Spread of infection to deeper tissues or nearby organs
• Orbital cellulitis (infection of the eye socket)
• Cavernous sinus thrombosis (a rare but serious blood clot)
• Systemic infection or sepsis
• Scarring or permanent skin damage

These risks underscore the importance of seeking medical attention for suspected staph infections on the face, even if they initially appear mild.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Knowing when to consult a healthcare provider is crucial in managing staph infections effectively. While not all skin issues require immediate medical attention, certain signs and symptoms warrant prompt evaluation.

When should you see a doctor for a suspected facial staph infection?

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Rapidly worsening or spreading infection
• Fever or chills
• Severe pain or swelling
• Redness extending beyond the initial site of infection
• Symptoms that persist for more than a week despite home care
• Any eye-related symptoms, including changes in vision

Additionally, individuals with weakened immune systems, chronic health conditions, or a history of recurrent staph infections should consult their healthcare provider promptly if they suspect a new infection.

Understanding the signs, symptoms, and potential complications of staph infections on the face empowers individuals to take proactive steps in prevention and seek timely medical care when needed. By maintaining good hygiene practices and being vigilant about skin health, you can reduce your risk of these troublesome infections and ensure prompt treatment if they do occur.

Staph infection – NHS

Staph infections are caused by bacteria called staphylococcus. They most often affect the skin. They can go away on their own, but sometimes they need to be treated with antibiotics.

Check if you have a staph skin infection

Symptoms of a staph skin infection can include:

A painful red lump or bump on the skin

This is often a boil or carbuncle (cluster of boils).

Credit:

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/251716/view

It could also be an abscess (build-up of pus).

Credit:

Robert Lind / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-boil-or-abscess-of-the-face-31388293.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=FE9DAEC7-A631-4F3C-B0A0-7D7F00BFE32C&p=82098&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dBR1T2D%26qt_raw%3dBR1T2D%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d144292%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d0%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d

Read about boils and carbuncles and abscesses.

Hot, red and swollen skin

This could be an infection called cellulitis.

Credit:

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/252466/view

Read more about cellulitis

Sores, crusts or blisters

This could be impetigo, which often affects the face.

Credit:

BIOPHOTO ASSOCIATES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/538104/view

It also sometimes affects other parts of the body.

Credit:

ISM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/690527/view

Read more about impetigo

Sore, red eyelids or eyes

A red, swollen eyelid could be a stye.

Credit:

WESTERN OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/252333/view

If your eye is affected, it could be conjunctivitis.

Credit:

WESTERN OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/256528/view

Read more about styes and conjunctivitis.

Redness affecting the skin or eyelids may be harder to see on darker or black skin.

Information:

Staph bacteria can also cause more serious infections, like blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. These are much less common than skin infections.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you think you have a staph skin infection and:

• it’s getting worse or spreading quickly
• it lasts more than a week
• you have a weakened immune system – for example, you have had an organ transplant or you’re having chemotherapy

You might need antibiotics to treat the infection.

Also see a GP if you keep getting staph infections.

How staph infections are spread

The bacteria that cause staph infections live harmlessly on many people’s skin, often in the nose and armpits and on the buttocks.

They usually only cause an infection if they get into the skin – for example, through a bite or cut.

Staph bacteria can spread to others through:

• close skin contact
• sharing things like towels or toothbrushes
• droplets in coughs and sneezes (less common)

You cannot always prevent staph infections

It can be difficult to prevent staph infections because many people have the bacteria on their skin.

But there are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting an infection or spreading the bacteria to others.

Do

• wash your hands with soap and water regularly

• keep your skin clean by having a bath or shower every day

• keep any cuts clean and covered

• use disposable tissues to blow your nose

Page last reviewed: 10 June 2021
Next review due: 10 June 2024

on Skin, on Face, Symptoms, Treatment

• Staphylococcus bacteria live on skin and can cause a staph infection if they enter the bloodstream. 
• Staph infections can involve a range of symptoms, like vomiting, rashes or inflamed skin, and fever.
• A staph infection may require treatment with prescription antibiotics, so talk to your doctor ASAP.

Staph infections are common infections caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus. While there are over 30 different types of Staphylococcus, one strain, Staphylococcus aureus, causes most of the millions of infections that occur in the United States each year.

Most staph infections remain relatively mild and involve a straightforward approach to treatment. In some cases, though, staph infections can become a serious medical concern.

Read on to learn the types, symptoms, and treatment of staph infections.  

What is a staph infection?

Staph bacteria are often found on the skin or nose of healthy people. In fact, up to 30% of people are carriers of staph. Most of the time, the bacteria are harmless, but if staph enters the body through a small cut, for example, it can cause an infection.

If you have a staph infection or staph bacteria on your skin, you can also transmit it to other people — through skin-to-skin contact or on objects where the bacteria live, like towels or bed linens.

Staph infections are usually minor skin infections. If the bacteria enter more deeply into the body through the bloodstream, however, this can create a wide range of problems requiring medical treatment. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2017 nearly 20,000 deaths happened as a result of staph entering the bloodstream. Many of these cases happened in healthcare facilities and hospitals. 

Staph infections also can and do occur in the general community — often as a result of uncovered wounds — but a recent hospital stay increases your risk, according to the CDC.

Still, severe infections remain relatively rare in otherwise healthy people, says Dr. Viktoryia D. Kazlouskaya, a dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh.

Symptoms of a staph infection

Though all staph infections are caused by the same type of bacteria, the symptoms can vary widely, depending on where in the body the infection occurs.  

Symptoms of a staph infection might include: 

Food poisoning 

Food poisoning caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can happen when people who carry staph handle food. Symptoms typically begin 30 minutes to 8 hours after eating contaminated food and tend to last no more than a day. You might experience:  

• Nausea
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Stomach cramps

Bacteremia

Bacteremia is a serious complication of staph that happens when the bacteria get into your bloodstream. General symptoms include fever and low blood pressure.

It can affect your brain, heart and lungs, your muscles and bones, and any implanted devices, like a pacemaker or artificial joint. 

Toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome, a condition caused by toxins produced by staph, can be life threatening.

The symptoms include:

• High fever
• A sunburn-like rash on your palms or across large areas of your body 
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Low blood pressure

Though it’s most commonly associated with tampon use, toxic shock syndrome can also happen as a complication of skin wounds or surgery.  

Septic arthritis

Septic arthritis can happen when staph infects a joint, most commonly large joints like the hips and knees. Symptoms include:

• Swollen, warm joints with severe pain
• Fever 
• Limited range of motion in the affected joint

Staph infections on the skin 

Some skin infections commonly known by other names are caused by staph bacteria. Staph doesn’t affect unbroken skin, but it can enter the body through small cuts or wounds and through mucous membranes, like the nose or mouth.

Staph skin infections more commonly develop in people who have frequent skin injuries, especially when they also have dry skin.

Most staph infections on the skin are treatable — but they can become dangerous if the bacteria enter your body more deeply. Some types of staph infections on the skin include:

• Furuncle: This type of staph infection, also called boils, shows up as tender spots or lumps that often contain pus. They develop when part of the hair follicle becomes infected deep within the skin. Boils can appear anywhere, but they commonly appear on the face, back of the neck, armpit, and thighs. 
• Cellulitis: This infection of the lower layer of your skin causes warm, swollen skin that feels painful to the touch. You may also have a fever and chills. Cellulitis usually affects the lower leg — an area away from your attention that can easily go unnoticed. But Dr. Eva Shelton, an internal medicine physician and content developer at Mochi, says it can also occur in other places like your face or arms. Cellulitis can cause serious complications, so it requires prompt medical treatment.
• Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: This condition, which mostly develops in children under the age of five, starts with a fever and skin discoloration. Within 1-2 days fluid-filled blisters form and parts of the top layer of skin peel off. This infection is treatable, and children usually recover well with treatment.
• Wound infections: Any open wound on the skin is vulnerable to staph infections. These infections will involve symptoms similar to cellulitis — pain, swelling, and warmth.

Staph infections on the face

Certain types of staph infections more typically occur on the face. Potentially serious cases to pay attention to are those near the eyes and nose, Shelton says.

Since these areas are close to the brain and central nervous system, staph bacteria in those areas could cause serious health complications. 

• Folliculitis: This infection is caused when a hair follicle gets infected with staph. Both folliculitis and boils involve hair follicles, but folliculitis typically happens closer to the surface of your skin. Often caused by shaving, it usually presents as a white-headed pimple. It can happen anywhere hair grows on your body.  
• Impetigo: This staph infection can also be caused by a strep infection. It causes large blisters that ooze fluid and develop a honey-colored crust. While impetigo can affect people of any age, it’s most common in young children. Kazlouskaya says it can quickly spread from the face to the rest of the body and can be transmitted to other children.  
• Stye: This type of staph infection affects the oil gland of the eye. Styes are painful lumps on the edge of your eyelid that often contain pus. They can cause a lot of discomfort, but they usually go away on their own within a few days. 

Treatment

Folliculitis and stye may clear up on their own, though the amount of time this takes can range from a few days to a few weeks. You can also treat minor infections by cleaning the area, using warm compresses, or applying over-the-counter topical antibiotics like Neosporin or Mycitracin.

Other staph infections require treatment with prescription antibiotics. Because staph can cause serious complications if it gets into your bloodstream, Kazlouskaya says you should promptly connect with a doctor if you have:

• A quickly spreading infection
• A fever
• Malaise, or a general sense of unwellness
• Swelling and pain in the affected area

A healthcare professional can test a swab of your skin, nasal secretion, blood, or urine to determine which antibiotics will most effectively treat your infection. They may prescribe topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, or both. They may also lance and drain a staph skin infection.

Important: Some strains of staph called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are resistant to the most commonly used antibiotics. 

MRSA is often transmitted in hospitals and other healthcare settings, but you can also acquire it in community settings. It often requires treatment with stronger intravenous (IV) antibiotics.  

Insider’s takeaway

Staph infections are fairly common. Usually, they’re minor skin conditions that improve with treatment. 

An untreated staph infection, however, can have serious medical complications, and it could even become fatal. If you think you may have a staph infection, it’s always a good idea to check in with a healthcare professional for more guidance.  

Adam Barnes

Adam Barnes is a licensed acupuncturist and freelance writer for Insider who specializes in acupuncture and holistic healthcare. He maintains a private acupuncture practice in Olympia, WA. 

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Staphylococcus in a child – description, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Infection with dangerous strains of staphylococcus in children is a danger to life and health. Serious pathologies can develop against the background of severe immunodeficiency, with prematurity, immaturity of the child. In the material we talk about the main pathogens, causes, diagnosis and treatment of staphylococcus aureus in children. If you find any alarming symptoms, we recommend that you do not self-medicate, but seek qualified medical help. Doctors of the clinic “Miracle Doctor” in Moscow will conduct a thorough diagnosis and prescribe adequate therapy.

About the disease

Staphylococci are anaerobic spherical bacteria. They cause a large group of diseases, including various skin infections, pneumonia, purulent-necrotic processes in the bones, inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord, and many others. Gram-positive immobile cocci, that is, those that do not form spores, are always present on the human body, but in order for them to become active, provoking factors, such as a decrease in immunity, are necessary.

It is staphylococcus in children that most often manifests its pathogenicity, since the body has not yet formed a stable defense mechanism. The infection is spread by contact, food, airborne droplets. Infants can become infected through the hands of the mother, medical personnel, underwear, care items. Diagnosis of staphylococcal lesions is quite complicated and requires a high level of professionalism from the doctor. Depending on the affected organ, both a pediatrician and an infectious disease specialist, an ENT, a dermatologist can deal with treatment.

Features of staphylococcal infection at an early age

The detection of bacteria in the body does not mean the development of the disease. The real-life staphylococcus in children is not indicated by a positive analysis, but by the symptoms – purulent mucus, pain at the site of the inflammatory process. The most severe consequences in children are caused by nosocomial strains that are regularly exposed to antibiotics and disinfectants, which makes them especially resistant and more difficult to treat.

All babies under the age of one are at risk, because their immune system is just developing and most often cannot cope with pathogens on its own. So, in infants, secretory immunoglobulin A, which plays an important role in the local defense of the body, is not secreted. Saliva has a weak bactericidal effect, and the mucous membranes and skin are too susceptible.

The risk of staphylococcal infection in children is increased in the following cases:

• 90,002 premature births;

• critical body mass;

• surgery in the first year of life;

• congenital malformations and pathologies of development;

• artificial feeding;

• frequent illnesses;

• insufficient hygiene care.

Types of pathogens

32 types of staphylococci are known, of which 16 cause infection in humans. The most common strains are:

Symptoms of staphylococcus in children

Since pathogens affect different organs and systems, the manifestations of the infection are very similar to other ailments. In order to identify the disease in time and start treatment, you need to see a doctor and take a bakposev. In addition, the severity of staphylococcus in children is influenced by the following parameters – the body’s defenses, age, type of bacteria and their number in the body.

Please note! The most pronounced reaction from the immune system is observed when infected with Staphylococcus aureus.

According to the ability to develop infection, two forms are distinguished:

1. Early – after the penetration of bacteria into the body, the first symptoms occur after a few hours. The disease is acute and severe. Children have fever, diarrhea, vomiting. The child refuses to eat, is constantly sleepy, sleeps too much.

2. Late – the disease makes itself felt on the 3rd-5th day after the ingestion of microbes. First, the skin and mucous membranes are affected. In the absence of timely treatment, the infection penetrates inside and develops in other organs, which provokes a generalized septic lesion.

To summarize all the symptoms of staphylococcus in children:

• severe toxic syndrome – headaches, fever up to 38 ° C, hyperemia (pathological overflow of blood vessels) or, conversely, blanching of the skin;

• severe weakness of the body, increased anxiety, groans and cries in sleep;

• chills, sweating;

• swelling of the face and eyelids;

• dry cough, runny nose, redness of the throat;

• violation of the gastrointestinal tract – heartburn, bloating, belching, constipation or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting;

• skin lesions that can be caused by increased sensitivity of the child to toxins and enzymes secreted by staphylococcus aureus in the course of its life;

• rashes on the skin, which can take various forms – pimples, blisters, boils, red spots, carbuncles, phlegmon, pustules, abscesses;

• lesion of the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose with purulent discharge.

The main diseases that develop with staphylococcus in children

Enterocolitis

Marked increased fatigue, weakness and drowsiness, refusal to eat, fever, headaches, body aches. The chair becomes more frequent up to 10-20 times a day.

Stools are liquid, with abundant impurities of mucus, sometimes there is blood or pus in the stool. Symptoms are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea is accompanied by rapid dehydration, which is especially dangerous for children under 5 years of age.

Infectious conjunctivitis

The mucous membrane of the eye is irritated, reddens, a pronounced photophobia appears. There is lacrimation and swelling, vesicles appear on the inner eyelid with the release of pus, due to which, after sleep, the eyelids open with difficulty. Greenish-yellow crusts form.

Pemphigus

Small blisters with purulent contents form on the skin, which enlarge, burst and leave erosion. Epidemic pemphigus of newborns occurs in the first 10 days of life, the temperature rises. The rash is most often observed in the umbilical region, on the abdomen, buttocks and back. General symptoms are also expressed by loss of appetite, anxiety and sleep disturbance.

Pseudofurunculosis

Acute purulent inflammation of the sweat glands, which occurs more often in the first month of life, less often – at the age of up to 6 months. Multiple ulcers in the form of fistulas appear on the skin of the head, trunk, arms and legs. After healing, scars remain. When new nodes appear, the child’s health worsens. Body temperature can rise up to 39°C.

Sepsis

In children, the so-called blood poisoning is particularly transient. Among the main symptoms:

Causes of staphylococcus in children

With a decrease in immunity, pathogenic or opportunistic bacteria can enter the body and begin to develop. The result of the vital activity of microbes are toxins that have a negative effect on all internal organs.

A bacterial infection is transmitted to an infant by a carrier, mainly by airborne droplets or contact. Children of the first year can also become infected through the mother’s milk, if she has mastitis, cracks in the nipple, also through the use of mixtures into which cocci fall. Schoolchildren most often become infected through ingestion of infected food – creams, cakes, sour cream, butter, or poorly washed fruits and vegetables.

Pathogenesis

The mechanism of origin and development of diseases depends on the nature of the infection. If the pathogen penetrates through the skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, umbilical wound, then an inflammatory focus develops with necrosis and suppuration. For example, when a pathogen enters the site of damaged skin, a boil may form. If the infection has penetrated through the oral mucosa, then this provokes a sore throat, stomatitis.

With the spread of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract, ulcerative, catarrhal or necrotic lesions of the stomach and intestinal lining can occur. A severe form of staphylococcus aureus causes blood poisoning. With strong immunity, the penetration of infection into the body is limited to local effects or does not cause disease at all.

Which doctors to contact

It is impossible to make a diagnosis and determine the type of pathogen at home. If there is a suspicion of staphylococcus aureus in a child, then you need to contact a pediatrician as soon as possible. You can make an appointment with us at the clinic at a convenient time.

The doctor will study the anamnesis, take into account complaints, previous circumstances, prescribe tests depending on the symptoms. Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, the doctor will give a referral to a specialist of the appropriate profile. Severe forms of diseases are treated by an infectious disease specialist.

How is staphylococcus diagnosed in children?

To prescribe effective treatment, the doctor prescribes the following tests:

• blood and urine;

• PCR – allows you to quickly and accurately find pathogens by detecting any DNA and RNA;

• ELISA (enzymatic immunoassay) – allows you to determine specific antibodies to the pathogen;

• mucosal smear, skin scraping, fecal analysis (depending on the location of the disease).

Laboratory analysis necessarily includes determining the sensitivity of the isolated culture or cultures to antibiotics.

Detection of staphylococcus in the feces of children

When staphylococcus is found in the feces of children, parents often panic and demand that their child be treated. However, bacteria in faecal crops without symptoms of any diseases do not pose a danger to health and life.

Staphylococcus can live in opportunistic flora without being harmful. Another thing is if bacteria begin to multiply in atypical conditions of their existence, for example, in a wound, then suppuration will occur. This means that treatment is required only if the child has the appropriate symptoms.

Treatment

Tactics of treatment of staphylococcal infection in children depends on the type of pathogen, the form and extent of the lesion, manifestations and immune status. The doctors of the medical center “Miracle Doctor” have more than 20 years of experience in dealing with such diseases, so they guarantee the selection of effective individual therapy.

Basic infection control:

• antiseptics for treating skin and mucous membranes;

• antipyretics above 38°C;

• antibiotics, depending on the location of the pathological focus, in the form of tablets, ointments or injections.

Prevention of staphylococcus in newborns

To reduce the risk of infection in an infant, you need to follow simple rules:

1. Before feeding and care, the mother must wash her hands.

2. It is required to treat even minor cuts, abrasions and wounds with antiseptics.

3. If someone wants to pick up a child, they should also ask that person to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.

4. Contact your pediatrician if you have any suspicious symptoms that may indicate an infection.

In the complex treatment of staphylococcal infections in children, the main task is to influence the pathogen, that is, to eliminate the cause, without which the disease would not have developed at all. Carefully observe the general condition of the child. The main reasons to show the baby to the doctor: refusal of milk, formula, fever, crying for no reason, loose stools.

Symptoms and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus in adults and children – clinic “Dobrobut”

Staphylococcus aureus – signs and treatment. Symptoms of Staphylococcus aureus in the intestines in adults

Staphylococcus aureus is an aerobic bacterium characterized by a spherical shape and immobility. It can provoke the development of various diseases in children. It is extremely rare in adults. An analysis for Staphylococcus aureus will help to identify its presence in the environment – on toys and utensils, bedding and human skin, both completely healthy and sick.

Classification of infection

In medicine, two forms of staphylococcal infection are distinguished – generalized and focal. In the first case, we are talking about sepsis, when all systems and organs are infected with staphylococcus aureus. Sepsis is a dangerous condition that often ends in death even in the presence of qualified medical care.

The focal form of staphylococcal infection is more often diagnosed when diseases of the skin, bone tissue, and joints are detected. Separately, doctors distinguish food poisoning with toxins – with the characteristic symptoms of Staphylococcus aureus in the intestines in adults.

Staphylococcal infection may be mild, moderate or severe, acute or chronic.

Symptoms of a staphylococcal infection

An aerobic bacterium can be found on the surface of the skin even in a healthy person, so you should not be surprised at its presence. The infection will develop only if provoking factors “work” – reduced immunity, viral disease, surgery, trauma, sexual infection, and so on. It is generally accepted that after a laboratory study of crops of biomaterial taken from different parts of the body, it is possible to identify the true threat of the presence of staphylococcus aureus. Doctors distinguish several degrees of presence of colonies of aerobic bacteria. If colonies are found within 10, and the degree is 6, then this is the highest limit of the norm. Higher rates will indicate a pronounced pathology. Having received the result of the analysis “Staphylococcus aureus on the skin 10 to the degree 5”, there is no need to worry – the treatment will be short and always with a positive result.

The diseases caused by the aerobic bacterium in question do not have any distinguishing features. If Staphylococcus aureus affects the throat, then a person may develop tonsillitis, pharyngitis and laryngitis, characterized by a severe course with high body temperature and severe weakness. Diseases of the respiratory group with frequent relapses are considered the main sign of the presence of bacteria in the throat.

In addition, Staphylococcus aureus can be detected:

• in bone tissue – the infection penetrates through fractures or severe wounds;
• in boils, carbuncles and abscesses – as a rule, the hair follicle is infected, and the inflammation process starts again and again even against the background of ongoing treatment;
• on the skin – the child develops rashes, dermatitis.

Staphylococcus aureus is often found in the feces of an infant. It can be diagnosed even in the maternity hospital – infection occurs during difficult childbirth against the background of reduced immunity in premature babies or infants with congenital pathologies.

The most serious condition when infected with an aerobic bacterium is toxic shock. It is distinguished by characteristic symptoms – a sharp increase in temperature to critical levels, nausea, acute pain in the head, a rash on the body, and the appearance of purulent discharge from existing wounds. In this case, no research is carried out – only Staphylococcus aureus can cause this condition. Urgent therapy is prescribed.

Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus

Antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus are not always effective, so they are prescribed only at the initial stage of the disease. Only the latest generation antibiotics – cephalosporins and others of the non-penicillin series will be effective.

Most doctors use combination therapy. If treatment of Staphylococcus aureus in the throat of a child is required, then the following will be prescribed:

• treatment of the mucous membrane with antiseptic solutions – chlorphyllipt;
• immunostimulating preparations;
• antistaphylococcal bacteriophage.

Many are interested in how to cure Staphylococcus aureus in the throat, which causes frequent sore throats, laryngitis, tonsillitis. You can’t do without a doctor’s prescription – the usual medications do not help or give a short-term effect of recovery. The specialist will give recommendations on the treatment of the pharyngeal mucosa with antiseptic solutions, conduct a study on the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics and make medication prescriptions.

Most often, colonies of the bacteria in question are found in the nose – they can stay there for years and do not cause any diseases. If the child often catches a cold, has a lag in growth and development, then chronic pathologies cannot be avoided.