Staph throat infection contagious: 7 Symptoms, Treatment, Is It Contagious
Staph Infection in Throat: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Staph Infection in Throat: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
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Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M.
D., MPH — By Jacob Clarke on December 4, 2019
Staphylococcus (staph) are bacteria commonly found living on many skin surfaces, including in the nose and in the lining of the mouth and throat.
However, if you’re experiencing the scratchiness and irritation of a sore throat (pharyngitis), the culprit is most likely not a staph infection.
According to Mayo Clinic, the most common cause of a sore throat is a virus. Although far less common, bacteria can cause some sore throats (bacterial pharyngitis).
These bacterial infections are most likely a strep infection (group A Streptococcus) rather than a staph infection.
Keep reading to learn more about bacterial throat infections, including symptoms and how to treat and prevent them.
Symptoms of bacterial pharyngitis may include:
- fever
- pain with swallowing
- headache
- body aches
- red throat
- enlarged tonsils with white spots
- tender, swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the front of your neck
- nausea
Depending on the type of infection, your doctor will typically prescribe an oral antibiotic to kill the bacteria.
The antibiotics your doctor may prescribe include penicillin or amoxicillin. If you’re allergic to penicillin, your doctor may prescribe:
- cephalosporin
- clindamycin
- macrolide
Make an appointment with a doctor if your sore throat lasts for more than 5 to 10 days.
Seek medical attention if, above and beyond a typical sore throat, you experience the following symptoms:
- fever above 101°F (38°C)
- difficulty breathing
- trouble opening your mouth
- facial or neck swelling
- earache
- joint pain
- blood in phlegm or saliva
The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you don’t already have a doctor.
Of the more than 30 strains of staph bacteria, the Cleveland Clinic points to Staphylococcus aureus as the most common human pathogen.
Colonization
Just because staph bacteria are present doesn’t mean there’s an active infection.
Most of the time, Staphylococcus doesn’t cause an infection or symptoms.
When staph is present but not causing an infection, it’s referred to as being colonized with staph.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the common types of colonization:
- Skin colonization. Penn Medicine estimates that at any given time, about 25 percent of people have staph on their skin’s surface.
- Nose colonization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30 percent of people carry staph in their nose.
- Throat colonization. A 2006 study of 356 adults concluded that more than 50 percent of participants had staph in their throat.
These bacteria typically don’t cause problems, but if the skin is broken, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection.
Potentially life threatening situations
Staph infections can be deadly if the bacteria enter your:
- bloodstream (bacteremia, septicemia)
- bones (osteomyelitis)
- joints (septic arthritis)
- heart (endocarditis)
- lungs (pneumonia)
Staph infections are easily spread.
You can help prevent them by:
- washing your hands
- covering wounds
- not sharing personal items, such as towels
- properly cleaning clothing and bedding
If possible, consider limiting your time in hospitals or inpatient healthcare facilities. You have a higher risk for exposure to staph infections in these places.
If you have a sore throat, it’s more likely due to a virus rather than bacteria. If bacteria are to blame, chances are the bacteria are strep, not staph.
Bacterial infections in your throat can cause a number of health complications. Fortunately, they’re often easily treatable with antibiotics. An infection, however, can be life threatening if the bacteria move into your bloodstream, lungs, or heart.
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of a staph infection in your throat or elsewhere, visit your doctor for a full diagnosis and recommended treatment.
Last medically reviewed on December 4, 2019
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.
We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Endocarditis.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endocarditis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352576 - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Sore throat.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635 - Nilsson P, et al. (2006). Staphylococcus aureus throat colonization is more frequent than colonization in the anterior nares. DOI:
1128/2FJCM.00880-06 - Sore throats. (2018).
enthealth.org/conditions/sore-throats/ - Staph infection (Staphylococcus infection). (2019).
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21165-staph-infection–staphylococcus-infection - Staph infections: What you should know. (2018).
pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/may/staph-infections - Staphylococcal infections.
(2019).
medlineplus.gov/staphylococcalinfections.html - Staphylococcus aureusin healthcare settings. (2011).
cdc.gov/hai/organisms/staph.html - Tong SYC, et al. (2015). Staphylococcus aureus infections: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management. DOI:
1128/CMR.00134-14
(2019). Share this article
Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M.D., MPH — By Jacob Clarke on December 4, 2019
Read this next
- Help for Sore Throats
Get tips for soothing a sore throat, such as gargling salt water, rucking lozenges, using a humidifier, drinking tea with honey, staying hydrated, and…
READ MORE
- What Does an Oral Staph Infection Look Like, and How Do I Treat It?
Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS
Although staph infections are often associated with the skin, in some cases they can occur in the mouth. Here’s what you need to know about…
READ MORE
- Why Do I Have a Persistent Sore Throat?
Medically reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.
D.Sore throats can cause pain, hoarseness, and burning when you swallow. A persistent sore throat can result from a variety of conditions, including…
READ MORE
- How to Recognize and Treat a Staph Infection in Your Nose
Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D.
A staph infection in your nose can be painful and potentially serious. We’ll go over how to tell if you have one and how to treat it safely.
READ MORE
- Antibiotic Ointment May Reduce Staph Infections for Newborn Infants
Infants, especially those in intensive care units, are vulnerable to staph infections. Application of an ointment may help them.
READ MORE
- Coagulase-Negative Staph Infection
Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M.D.
Here’s what you need to know about coagulase-negative staph, its infection types, how it’s diagnosed, and symptoms to watch for.
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- Are Staph Skin Infections on the Rise?
Hospitals are doing a better job of controlling staph and MRSA infections, but community-acquired staph skin infections have increased rapidly in the…
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Here is a list of 12 healthy iron-rich foods.Staph Infection in Throat: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Staph Infection in Throat: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
- Health Conditions
- Featured
- Breast Cancer
- IBD
- Migraine
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Articles
- Acid Reflux
- ADHD
- Allergies
- Alzheimer’s & Dementia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Chronic Pain
- Cold & Flu
- COPD
- Depression
- Fibromyalgia
- Heart Disease
- High Cholesterol
- HIV
- Hypertension
- IPF
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriasis
- Skin Disorders and Care
- STDs
- Featured
- Discover
- Wellness Topics
- Nutrition
- Fitness
- Skin Care
- Sexual Health
- Women’s Health
- Mental Well-Being
- Sleep
- Product Reviews
- Vitamins & Supplements
- Sleep
- Mental Health
- Nutrition
- At-Home Testing
- CBD
- Men’s Health
- Original Series
- Fresh Food Fast
- Diagnosis Diaries
- You’re Not Alone
- Present Tense
- Video Series
- Youth in Focus
- Healthy Harvest
- No More Silence
- Future of Health
- Wellness Topics
- Plan
- Health Challenges
- Mindful Eating
- Sugar Savvy
- Move Your Body
- Gut Health
- Mood Foods
- Align Your Spine
- Find Care
- Primary Care
- Mental Health
- OB-GYN
- Dermatologists
- Neurologists
- Cardiologists
- Orthopedists
- Lifestyle Quizzes
- Weight Management
- Am I Depressed? A Quiz for Teens
- Are You a Workaholic?
- How Well Do You Sleep?
- Tools & Resources
- Health News
- Find a Diet
- Find Healthy Snacks
- Drugs A-Z
- Health A-Z
- Health Challenges
- Connect
- Breast Cancer
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Migraine
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Psoriasis
Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M.
D., MPH — By Jacob Clarke on December 4, 2019
Staphylococcus (staph) are bacteria commonly found living on many skin surfaces, including in the nose and in the lining of the mouth and throat.
However, if you’re experiencing the scratchiness and irritation of a sore throat (pharyngitis), the culprit is most likely not a staph infection.
According to Mayo Clinic, the most common cause of a sore throat is a virus. Although far less common, bacteria can cause some sore throats (bacterial pharyngitis).
These bacterial infections are most likely a strep infection (group A Streptococcus) rather than a staph infection.
Keep reading to learn more about bacterial throat infections, including symptoms and how to treat and prevent them.
Symptoms of bacterial pharyngitis may include:
- fever
- pain with swallowing
- headache
- body aches
- red throat
- enlarged tonsils with white spots
- tender, swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the front of your neck
- nausea
Depending on the type of infection, your doctor will typically prescribe an oral antibiotic to kill the bacteria.
The antibiotics your doctor may prescribe include penicillin or amoxicillin. If you’re allergic to penicillin, your doctor may prescribe:
- cephalosporin
- clindamycin
- macrolide
Make an appointment with a doctor if your sore throat lasts for more than 5 to 10 days.
Seek medical attention if, above and beyond a typical sore throat, you experience the following symptoms:
- fever above 101°F (38°C)
- difficulty breathing
- trouble opening your mouth
- facial or neck swelling
- earache
- joint pain
- blood in phlegm or saliva
The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you don’t already have a doctor.
Of the more than 30 strains of staph bacteria, the Cleveland Clinic points to Staphylococcus aureus as the most common human pathogen.
Colonization
Just because staph bacteria are present doesn’t mean there’s an active infection.
Most of the time, Staphylococcus doesn’t cause an infection or symptoms.
When staph is present but not causing an infection, it’s referred to as being colonized with staph.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the common types of colonization:
- Skin colonization. Penn Medicine estimates that at any given time, about 25 percent of people have staph on their skin’s surface.
- Nose colonization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30 percent of people carry staph in their nose.
- Throat colonization. A 2006 study of 356 adults concluded that more than 50 percent of participants had staph in their throat.
These bacteria typically don’t cause problems, but if the skin is broken, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection.
Potentially life threatening situations
Staph infections can be deadly if the bacteria enter your:
- bloodstream (bacteremia, septicemia)
- bones (osteomyelitis)
- joints (septic arthritis)
- heart (endocarditis)
- lungs (pneumonia)
Staph infections are easily spread.
You can help prevent them by:
- washing your hands
- covering wounds
- not sharing personal items, such as towels
- properly cleaning clothing and bedding
If possible, consider limiting your time in hospitals or inpatient healthcare facilities. You have a higher risk for exposure to staph infections in these places.
If you have a sore throat, it’s more likely due to a virus rather than bacteria. If bacteria are to blame, chances are the bacteria are strep, not staph.
Bacterial infections in your throat can cause a number of health complications. Fortunately, they’re often easily treatable with antibiotics. An infection, however, can be life threatening if the bacteria move into your bloodstream, lungs, or heart.
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of a staph infection in your throat or elsewhere, visit your doctor for a full diagnosis and recommended treatment.
Last medically reviewed on December 4, 2019
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.
We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Endocarditis.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endocarditis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352576 - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Sore throat.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635 - Nilsson P, et al. (2006). Staphylococcus aureus throat colonization is more frequent than colonization in the anterior nares. DOI:
1128/2FJCM.00880-06 - Sore throats. (2018).
enthealth.org/conditions/sore-throats/ - Staph infection (Staphylococcus infection). (2019).
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21165-staph-infection–staphylococcus-infection - Staph infections: What you should know. (2018).
pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/may/staph-infections - Staphylococcal infections. (2019).
medlineplus.gov/staphylococcalinfections.html - Staphylococcus aureusin healthcare settings. (2011).
cdc.gov/hai/organisms/staph.html - Tong SYC, et al. (2015). Staphylococcus aureus infections: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management. DOI:
1128/CMR.00134-14
(2019). Share this article
Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M.D., MPH — By Jacob Clarke on December 4, 2019
Read this next
- Help for Sore Throats
Get tips for soothing a sore throat, such as gargling salt water, rucking lozenges, using a humidifier, drinking tea with honey, staying hydrated, and…
READ MORE
- What Does an Oral Staph Infection Look Like, and How Do I Treat It?
Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS
Although staph infections are often associated with the skin, in some cases they can occur in the mouth. Here’s what you need to know about…
READ MORE
- Why Do I Have a Persistent Sore Throat?
Medically reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.
D.Sore throats can cause pain, hoarseness, and burning when you swallow. A persistent sore throat can result from a variety of conditions, including…
READ MORE
- How to Recognize and Treat a Staph Infection in Your Nose
Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D.
A staph infection in your nose can be painful and potentially serious. We’ll go over how to tell if you have one and how to treat it safely.
READ MORE
- Antibiotic Ointment May Reduce Staph Infections for Newborn Infants
Infants, especially those in intensive care units, are vulnerable to staph infections. Application of an ointment may help them.
READ MORE
- Coagulase-Negative Staph Infection
Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M.D.
Here’s what you need to know about coagulase-negative staph, its infection types, how it’s diagnosed, and symptoms to watch for.
READ MORE
- Are Staph Skin Infections on the Rise?
Hospitals are doing a better job of controlling staph and MRSA infections, but community-acquired staph skin infections have increased rapidly in the…
READ MORE
- 12 Healthy Foods That Are High in Iron
By Franziska Spritzler
Iron is a mineral that serves important functions in your body, but many people don’t get enough.
Here is a list of 12 healthy iron-rich foods.READ MORE
- Best Home Tests for Diabetes of 2023
Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD
Home diabetes tests can help you monitor your glucose levels if you’re at risk of the condition — find out our top picks here.
READ MORE
D.
Here is a list of 12 healthy iron-rich foods.Staphylococcus in the throat – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Contents
- Symptoms of the disease
- Staphylococcus in the throat diagnosis
- Staphylococcus in the throat treatment process
- Useful video about staphylococcus 90 006
- Staphylococcus aureus infection in the throat, causes and symptoms
- Staphylococcus in the throat causes of the disease
- Mechanism of throat damage caused by Staphylococcus aureus
- Staphylococcus in the throat symptoms of the disease
- Laboratory diagnostics
- Staphylococcus in the throat infection treatment
- Staphylococcus aureus in the throat and not only
- How to protect yourself and your child from infection?
Staphylococcus aureus in the throat is a bacterial disease caused by Gram-positive non-motile bacteria.
The causative agents of this disease can affect not only the nasopharynx, but the entire respiratory tract or individual organs (kidneys, lungs).
Staphylococcal infection is most often transmitted by contact, only people who are immunocompromised become infected.
Staphylococcus aureus is a very dangerous type of bacteria. The oropharynx is a favorite habitat for staphylococcus, it is found both in the nose and in the throat at the same time.
Children and the elderly are most susceptible to this disease. Staphylococcus is resistant to many antibiotics, so it can be difficult to treat this disease.
Appearing in the throat, Staphylococcus aureus causes sore throat. With angina, the first symptom of the disease is changes in the tonsils: an increase in size, redness, white bloom.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of the disease include a sharp increase in temperature, severe dizziness. Redness of the throat and swelling of the palatine tonsils is the main symptom that forces patients to seek help from doctors.
Mucus may be discharged from the nose, there are complaints of lack of appetite and pain when swallowing. With Staphylococcus aureus, purulent formations may appear in the throat and nose.
Staphylococcus in throat diagnosis
There are two main methods for diagnosing this disease:
- Microbiological. A swab is taken from the throat or nose, the resulting material is examined for the presence of staphylococcus aureus. For this, nutrient media are used, the contents of the smear are placed there. After a certain time, under a microscope, they look for the presence of staphylococcus aureus.
- Serological. A set of 23 bacteriophages is used, which are divided into 4 groups. 1 strain of bacteria kills 1 phage or target group (not currently used because it detects only 60-80% of cases).
Staphylococcus in the throat treatment process
Staph infection in the throat is treated with antibiotics only. First, a laboratory test is carried out, only after a correct diagnosis is made and sensitivity to antibiotics is determined, a full course of treatment is carried out.
The choice of treatment tactics depends on many factors: the type of pathogen, the localization of the inflammatory process, the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the throat, sensitivity to antibacterial agents.
Only if a mild form of the disease is detected, local symptomatic treatment is prescribed.
In other cases complex therapy with antibiotics is used. The main thing to remember is that you need to treat not the symptoms, but the disease itself.
If you get rid of the symptoms of staph infection, but the germ itself is in the nose or throat, the disease will reappear after a while.
The most effective antibiotics that are used to treat staphylococcus in the nose and throat are Ceftriaxone, Amoxiclav, Vancomycin, Oxacillin.
The choice of drug and dosage is the responsibility of the doctor. When treating the disease, the doctor may additionally recommend gargling with a solution of chlorophyllipt, taking staphylococcal bacteriophage and vitamins.
See also: Viral pharyngitis: causes, clinical manifestations and features of therapy
Safe treatment of pregnant women and children
If you find symptoms of staphylococcus in the throat of a child or a pregnant woman, you need to urgently consult a doctor. Treatment of this category of people has a number of limitations and features. Drug therapy should not harm either the health of the pregnant woman or the small child.
The main problem of drug therapy is that antibiotics are contraindicated for children and pregnant women. Treatment is carried out with the help of bacteriophages and folk methods (rinsing, tinctures, rational nutrition).
The main thing to remember is that self-treatment of the disease usually does not bring any results. In this case, you are at high risk of developing various complications.
If you have the first symptoms of staph in your nose or throat, see a knowledgeable specialist for diagnosis and treatment immediately.
Useful video about staphylococcus
Staphylococcus aureus infection in the throat, causes and symptoms
Most throat diseases (tonsillitis, pharyngitis) are caused by bacteria. Very often, the causative agent of diseases is Staphylococcus aureus in the throat or Staphylococcus aureus.
Staphylococcus aureus bacterium is the etiological factor of diseases of this species. This bacterium has a spherical shape, forms clusters in the form of a bunch of grapes.
Staphylococcus aureus is called due to the pigment that colors the bacterium in a golden color, which is clearly visible under a microscope.
Staphylococcus in the throat causes the disease
Staphylococcus aureus belongs to the conditionally pathogenic flora of the human body. It lives on various parts without causing disease.
However, under certain conditions of reduced immunity, it is activated with the subsequent development of an infectious disease.
The main reasons for the activation of the pathogenic properties of Staphylococcus aureus are:
- both general and local hypothermia (use of cold foods and drinks),
- decreased immunity due to stress, lack of sleep,
- bad habits in adults – smoking, alcohol abuse,
- the child’s usual use of high-calorie sugary foods (sugar is the preferred food of S. aureus),
- metabolic diseases and diabetes,
- immunodeficiency – AIDS, HIV, congenital deficiency of local immunity.
Mechanism of throat injuries caused by Staphylococcus aureus
The mucous membrane of the throat contains a colony of Staphylococcus aureus in the throat from the first days of life. With a normal level of immunity, Staphylococcus aureus in the throat of a child does not multiply beyond a certain number of bacterial cells, and does not have pathogenic properties.
But with reduced immunity, high blood sugar levels, cell division is activated, the release of toxins from bacteria increases, and as a result, sore throat develops.
The result is an acute sore throat, purulent tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis. An important factor in the development of chronic throat diseases can be the misuse of antibiotics, which develops bacterial resistance to them.
See also: Angina Simanovsky-Plaut-Vincent
Staphylococcus in the throat symptoms of the disease
The disease is characterized by an acute onset of fever (up to 39.0 C), severe sore throat, especially when swallowing. When examining the throat, you can see the tonsils, bright red, possibly the presence of pustules.
The disease is characterized by general symptoms of poisoning – weakness, sweating, joint pain, vomiting, loss of appetite. In this form, the sore throat can be contagious to others, as Staphylococcus aureus is excreted from the body with exhaled air.
Direct infection occurs through the respiratory tract of a person already infected when droplets of saliva or mucus are expelled through a sneeze or cough.
Indirect infection: in this case, Staphylococcus aureus comes into contact with us through unwashed hands or when we consume contaminated food.
Chronic tonsillitis
Depending on the development of the disease, these may be:
- primary chronic tonsillitis and
- secondary chronic tonsillitis as a result of an underbaked disease and the development of resistance to antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus.
The symptoms are identical in both forms of chronic tonsillitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Typical symptoms are local – sore throat when swallowing, sensation of a lump in the throat, red tonsils without purulent plaque.
Pharyngitis
A disease characterized by symptoms of chronic intoxication. Among the local symptoms – sore throat, redness of the back of the throat, with swelling of the mucous membranes. Rarely there are purulent plaques in the back of the throat.
Combined tonsillopharyngitis
This disease is the result of the spread of bacteria throughout the oral cavity.
At the same time, local symptoms are present – sore throat when swallowing, swollen tonsils, redness on the back of the throat.
Laboratory diagnostics
Since the disease in the throat can be caused not only by Staphylococcus aureus, but also by other microorganisms (hemolytic streptococcus, adenovirus), diagnostics is carried out through bacteriological smears taken from the tonsils and the back of the throat.
This material, grafted onto a nutrient medium, is examined using biochemical, serological and microscopic methods.
In the case of disease caused by Staphylococcus aureus, tests are performed to determine its sensitivity to various antibiotics for rational treatment.
Staphylococcus in the throat infection treatment
The main therapeutic approach is complex, aimed at the destruction of the pathogen on the mucous membrane of the throat and the elimination of factors that contribute to the transition of Staphylococcus aureus to the pathogenic form.
For this purpose:
- causal treatment,
- pathogenetic therapy,
- immunotherapy,
- Treatment aimed at the complete destruction of Staphylococcus aureus in the throat is achieved by the use of antibiotics.
- recommended antibiotics for Staphylococcus aureus,
- group of penicillin derivatives protected from clavulanic acid (amoxiclav),
- cephalosporins (cefodox, ceftriaxone).
It is important to keep the duration of treatment until all symptoms disappear. If antibiotic treatment is stopped, the remaining microorganisms may develop resistance to antibiotics, leading to the transition to a chronic form of the disease.
See also: Staphylococcal tonsillitis: ways of infection, symptoms and treatment
With chronic tonsillitis, the development of resistance to antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus. The only method to kill the pathogen is to use a bacteriophage, a virus that destroys bacterial cells.
Pathogenetic therapy
Used to relieve intoxication. In severe intoxication, detoxification therapy is carried out in the form of intravenous droppers with saline solutions.
Immunotherapy
This is a treatment to strengthen local and general immunity. For this purpose, a group of immunomodulating drugs is used (tincture of echinacea, magnolia vine, eleutherococcus).
To strengthen the immune system, you also need a normal diet with adequate intake of vitamins, elimination of stress, normalization of sleep.
To prevent throat diseases, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, we must not forget that lack of sleep, stress, undermine the human immune system. It weakens, becomes vulnerable to pathogenic flora.
Staphylococcus aureus in the throat and not only
Depending on the areas of the body colonized by bacteria, infectious outbreaks, other than the oral mucosa (tonsils, throat or nose), can occur on the skin, in the urinary tract, on the bones, in the muscles and in the central nervous system causing various symptoms.
If the infection has affected the skin, a scattering of pustules and serous vesicles will appear. If bacteria have settled in the gastrointestinal tract, then abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting will appear – classic food poisoning.
Staphylococcus aureus often causes cystitis in breastfeeding women. In all these cases, there will be an increase in temperature.
How to protect yourself and your child from infection?
Children are more susceptible to infection due to weaker immunity. Therefore, it is best to protect yourself and your child by trying to stay as far away from the source of the infection as possible, and by strengthening your and your child’s immune systems.
This is true, in general, for any type of infection. Hygiene is very important! One should wash one’s hands as often as possible because bacteria are everywhere, especially on everyday items.
As far as food is concerned, it is necessary to cook meat and eggs correctly, boil them in boiling water, a certain time for each product.
You should also wash and sanitize fruits and vegetables before eating them raw.
When it comes to intimate hygiene, especially severe cases of staphylococcal infection are those that can occur in women who use an internal buffer during menstruation, which can become a dangerous carrier of infection.
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Staphylococcus in the throat: what is it
Patients often turn to the laboratory of the Novopolotsk City Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology with a request to check them for the presence of staphylococcus in the upper respiratory tract. Staphylococcus in the throat is one of the most common causative agents of ENT diseases. However, it should be borne in mind that about 80% of diseases of the upper respiratory tract are not associated with staphylococcus aureus, but with viruses.
There are about 20 types of staphylococcus, most of them belong to opportunistic flora. Every healthy person has them in small quantities and does not cause much concern. With a decrease in immunity for various reasons or if an additional infection enters the body, the bacteria are activated. An inflammatory process begins, painful symptoms appear: redness in the throat and pain, especially when swallowing throat.
The most common way of infection is contact: when using common hygiene items, dishes, cosmetics. Sometimes staphylococcus aureus is transmitted in children, for example, when collectively biting off pieces from an apple, having shared toys. Unwashed hands are a separate risk factor. After direct interaction of the skin, which already has bacteria, with the mucous membrane, the infection is transmitted.
The airborne route of infection is known to all. An unhealthy organism releases pathogenic microflora into the environment when exhaling, sneezing, coughing, which enters the mucous membrane of a weakened person and begins to develop intensively in the throat and nose.
There are a number of other possibilities of transmission (eg, alimentary through breastfeeding, from mother to child), but they are not as common, and the symptoms of the disease are similar to the standard ones.
Such a concept as carriage of staphylococcus is widespread. Carriers are generally healthy people whose nasopharynx nevertheless contains a certain amount of staphylococci that are released into the external environment. Healthy carriers cannot infect other people by contact or airborne droplets. The number of staphylococci they secrete is small and not enough to cause a disease in another person. However, if such a healthy carrier works in a food enterprise, then he can seed some food products with staphylococcus, which are a favorable nutrient medium for him. Such products are primarily various confectionery products (especially cakes, pastries, etc.). They contain a large amount of sugar and moisture. In this environment, staphylococci multiply rapidly and secrete a dangerous toxic toxin.