One of the most common types of bacteria in the world that live near a person or his body are staphylococci. Such a neighborhood can be very dangerous, because the slightest decrease in immunity will lead to the fact that microbes will begin to actively multiply, causing serious purulent-inflammatory infections. Children are more likely to suffer from staphylococcus aureus, but adults are not completely protected from infection. Find out how bacteria are transmitted, which species are considered the most dangerous, how to treat this disease.

Infections caused by staphylococci can affect any part of the body, internal organs and mucous membranes of an adult. The list of such diseases includes more than 100 medical names, while the most common are those that provoke the appearance of abscesses, boils, carbuncles, barley. The type of disease depends on where staphylococcus began to multiply:

  • respiratory tract - tonsillitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc.;
  • intestines - constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, poisoning;
  • blood - sepsis;
  • brain - meningitis, abscess;
  • bone tissue - arthritis, osteomyelitis;
  • heart - endocarditis, heart failure;
  • mammary glands - cyst, purulent mastitis.

How is staphylococcus transmitted to humans

Scientists have identified several main ways of transmission of infection:

  • Contact household. The bacterium enters the body through common objects - doorknobs, bedding, shoes, towels.
  • Airborne. Infection occurs through the air during contact with the carrier when sneezing, kissing, coughing.
  • Generic. This type of infection is typical for newborns, when staphylococcus aureus is transmitted to the child from the mother during childbirth.
  • Fecal-oral. This type of infection is associated with non-compliance with the rules and norms of hygiene. Staphylococcus aureus in the feces of an adult and some other types of bacteria can be detected if a person has eaten unwashed vegetables, berries, fruits, has come into contact with vomit or feces.
  • Dust. Bactria are very difficult to remove from fleecy surfaces (carpets, towels, rugs) and can exist in dust for a long time, getting into the body with small particles when breathing.
  • Artifical. Infection occurs through medical instruments that have undergone insufficient processing or during surgical operations.

Some types of staphylococci are part of the microflora of the body, do not manifest themselves in any way until favorable conditions occur. The reasons for the activation of the infection of the processes of active reproduction are: exacerbation of chronic diseases, nervous strain, decreased immunity. Risk groups for the development of purulent-inflammatory diseases include:

  • pregnant women;
  • patients with various forms of immunodeficiency, including AIDS or HIV;
  • people with endocrine disorders - diabetes mellitus, hypo- or hyperthyroidism;
  • elderly patients;
  • people with a burdened allergic history.

Causes

The infection can enter the body of a healthy person through wounds or scratches on the skin, during medical procedures or due to contact with a sick person. The impetus for the development of staphylococcal inflammation can be frequent colds, acute respiratory viral infections. ARI, SARS and influenza are considered especially dangerous. These diseases greatly weaken the body and require a long time to fully restore its protective functions.

A number of predisposing factors can weaken the immune system:

  • frequent stress, nervous, emotional overstrain, fatigue;
  • problems with the thyroid gland;
  • malnutrition - eating fast food, canned foods, too fatty foods;
  • non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
  • living in an ecologically unfavorable area;
  • long-term use of certain potent drugs, especially immunosuppressants and vasoconstrictors.

Kinds

Scientists separately identify some types of staphylococci that are more common and are considered the most dangerous for both adults and children:

  • Epidermal - a bacterium that affects the surface layer of the skin (epidermis). It provokes the appearance of acne, boils, carbuncles.
  • Saprophytic - a type of infection that affects the walls of the bladder, mucous membranes and skin around the genitals. It provokes the development of cystitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis, more often found in women than in men.
  • Hemolytic - a bacterium that causes infectious and inflammatory reactions in the body of an adult. It often causes complications of influenza, tonsillitis, inflammation of the tonsils.
  • Golden is one of the most dangerous varieties of gram-positive bacteria. It can cause a wide range of illnesses, from mild skin infections to brain damage.
  • Ear - a type of staphylococcus aureus that affects the inner ear. Able to spread to neighboring tissue. It is characterized by purulent discharge from the auricles, severe pain, fever.

Symptoms

In the presence of a staph infection, symptoms appear almost instantly. They largely depend on the location of the inflammatory process. All types of infections give the following signs of staphylococcus in adults:

  • local increase in body temperature (at the site of inflammation) or general fever;
  • symptoms of intoxication - loss of appetite, weakness, drowsiness, joint pain;
  • the presence of pustules on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes - boils, pyoderma, abscesses;
  • runny nose or cough with yellow, green, or purulent discharge;
  • the presence of mucus in the feces, stool disorder;
  • nausea, vomiting.

One of the frequent habitats of Staphylococcus aureus is the nasal cavity. Settling on the mucosa, the pathogen provokes the development of sinusitis, purulent rhinitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis with characteristic symptoms:

  • intoxication of the body - chills, weakness;
  • swelling and nasal congestion;
  • skin redness;
  • formations on the nasolabial folds and mucosa of pustules;
  • difficult breathing;
  • yellow or green discharge.

Often, staphylococcus is found in the throat, while the infection in adults can spread throughout the respiratory tract, causing diseases such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Infectious infection is accompanied by the presence of the following symptoms:

  • a sharp increase in body temperature;
  • swelling of the lymph nodes;
  • purulent plaque on the palate, tongue;
  • inflammation and redness of the tonsils, which makes it difficult to swallow;
  • dizziness, weakness;
  • hoarseness;
  • separation of purulent or greenish sputum;
  • loss of appetite.

If the causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus, a throat infection can worsen the condition of adults with chronic diseases of other organs. The risk group includes patients who have a history of problems with the lungs and heart. Without timely treatment, this type of pathogen can provoke the development of complications such as purulent pneumonia, endocarditis, lung abscess.

The epidermal type of infection often affects the upper layers of the skin, provoking inflammatory and purulent processes of varying severity, scalded skin syndrome. This species becomes a frequent cause of complications after prosthetic limbs, the installation of bypasses or heart valves. It is worth suspecting something is wrong and consulting a doctor in time if small bubbles with a cloudy liquid appear on the skin, eczema, dermatitis, hair follicles become inflamed.

When eating unwashed vegetables, fruits, berries, or if personal hygiene is not followed, harmful microorganisms can enter the stomach and intestines. The first symptoms may appear a few hours after eating or during the day. Intestinal staphylococcus in adults is manifested by the following symptoms:

  • nausea with frequent bouts of vomiting;
  • stool disorder - diarrhea or, conversely, constipation;
  • pain in the abdomen;
  • flatulence of the intestine;
  • the presence of impurities of blood or pus in the feces;
  • skin rashes.

Complications

With massive damage to internal organs, mucous membranes or skin, a pathogenic microbe can cause generalized infection. The growth in the number of colonies often develops into pyoderma or an extensive purulent process. Treatment in this case is carried out exclusively in a hospital, under the strict supervision of a doctor, since without proper therapy a fatal outcome is possible. Common complications of streptococcal infection are:

  • extensive phlegmon affecting adipose tissue;
  • toxic shock;
  • damage to the heart, lungs, brain;
  • soft tissue sepsis;
  • development of septicemia (blood poisoning);
  • exacerbation of diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic diseases;
  • the addition of other bacteria - streptococci, pneumococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and others.

Diagnostics

Considering that staphylococci are constantly present in the body of an adult and appear only when factors favorable for them occur, tests are prescribed after the onset of symptoms or patient complaints. In the course of laboratory studies, in addition to the type of bacteria, its sensitivity to the effects of antibiotics is established in order to prescribe competent treatment. Of the diagnostic procedures, preference is given to:

  • a blood test in case of suspected extensive infection;
  • skin scraping in the presence of dermatological symptoms;
  • analysis of feces for digestive disorders;
  • swab from the nose or throat, if there are problems with the respiratory tract;
  • urine analysis.

Treatment of staphylococcus in adults

Local forms of pathology respond well to treatment outside the hospital. Those patients who have a massive lesion of the skin, internal organs or there are complications are subject to hospitalization. The choice of the optimal treatment regimen depends on the location of the inflammatory process:

  • In the presence of an epidermal type of pathogen in adults, surgical treatment without the use of antibacterial drugs is possible. The external abscess is opened, the doctor removes the pus. For the treatment of wounds, any liquid antiseptic is used - brilliant green, iodine.
  • Staphylococcus in the throat in adults is necessarily treated with the use of local remedies in the form of ointments or liquid rinses. The affected areas are treated with chlorophyllipt, eucalyptus tincture, vinylin (Shostakovsky's balm).
  • Staphylococcal dermatitis in adults involves taking antibiotics, the use of local antibacterial drugs - ointments, gels, sprays. The affected areas are regularly treated with hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green, ethyl alcohol. Vitamins are prescribed to restore immunity.

Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus in adults can be complicated by the fact that the pathogen is resistant to most types of antibiotics. In addition to measures to strengthen the immune system, the doctor prescribes drugs with bacteriophages - special viruses that can kill this type of microorganisms. Bactriophages are available as tablets, ointments, mouthwashes, or injections.

Antibiotic therapy

The first antibacterial drugs from the penicillin group were active against a large number of staphylococci, helped to successfully stop purulent processes and prevent the onset of sepsis. Over the years, pathogenic microorganisms have managed to develop resistance to this type of drug, so penicillins are rarely prescribed today. Antibiotics belonging to the tetracycline, lincosamide, cephalosporin groups and macrolides are considered first-line drugs. Often assigned:

  • Ceftriaxone is a 3rd generation antibiotic that belongs to the whole phasporin family. Available in the form of a white or yellow powder for injection. The drug acts on the inhibition of the cell walls of microorganisms. It is prescribed for joint damage, sepsis, meningitis, the presence of infected wounds or burns. The antibiotic has a minimum of contraindications, but can cause multiple side effects, among which are frequent headaches, dizziness, allergies, anemia, and indigestion.
  • Amoxiclav is a combined antibacterial drug. Available in powder and tablet form. The medicine is prescribed for diseases of the urinary tract, skin, joints, ENT organs. Amoxiclav is categorically contraindicated in violation of liver function, hypersensitivity to penicillin or amoxicillin. When taken, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, urticaria are possible. Amoxiclav analogues in composition - Augmentin, Oxacillin.
  • Ofloxacin is a 2nd generation fluoroquinol. Available in the form of tablets and eye drops. The drug inhibits the enzyme DNA-gyrase, causing the death of microorganisms. It is prescribed for bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, meningitis. It is used with caution in atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular accidents. Ofloxacin often provokes headache, dizziness, gastralgia, and allergic reactions.
  • Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic. Available in the form of a white powder for the preparation of a solution for injections. The antibacterial agent blocks the synthesis of the cell membrane of viruses, is able to change the permeability of the walls. Vancomycin is prescribed for sepsis, meningitis, diseases of the bones and joints. Due to the increased number of microorganisms that have developed resistance to its active ingredients, it has been used very rarely in recent years.

Folk remedies

Recipes of traditional medicine are used only as an aid aimed at strengthening the immune system. Some types of medicinal plants additionally have analgesic properties, they are able to quickly remove decay products from the body. Preference is given to medicinal preparations based on string, thyme, licorice root, plantain, rosehip. Alcohol tincture with propolis has proven itself well:

  1. Take 3-4 tbsp. l. soft finely cut propolis.
  2. Put on the bottom of a liter jar, fill up to the neck with any strong alcohol - alcohol, vodka, cognac.
  3. Cover the container with a lid, remove to infuse in a dark place for 10-14 days.
  4. Take with intestinal disorders before or during a meal, 20-30 ml. The course is 15–20 days.
  5. For sore throat, sinusitis or sinusitis, use a tincture for rinsing.

Staphylococcus and pregnancy

Among various kinds of pathogenic microorganisms, staphylococcus aureus is distinguished as especially dangerous for pregnant women. Due to the natural decrease in immunity, this type of bacteria easily penetrates the body, provoking inflammation of the bladder, kidney disease, exacerbation of infectious viral infections. Of particular danger is the golden subtype, because it is able to penetrate the placental barrier, leading to abnormalities in the development of the fetus, in some cases causing a miscarriage.

Pregnant women should be regularly tested for infection, even if there are no external signs of the disease. In case of detection of a bacterium and the development of mass infection, the following treatment regimens are possible:

  • taking antibiotics;
  • the appointment of local anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • the use of drugs aimed at increasing immunity;
  • quartz treatment.

Prevention

It can be impossible to completely get rid of staphylococcus, so the key task of doctors is not the destruction of bacteria, but the prevention of the development of serious diseases. One of the main tasks of prevention is the observance of personal hygiene standards. Since the microorganism is easily transmitted by air, drop, household, it is important to observe the following rules:

  • eat only high-quality food - washed vegetables, fruits, berries, fresh food;
  • wash hands every time after visiting public places and before eating;
  • treat wounds with brilliant green, peroxide, iodine;
  • take water only from clean proven sources, do not drink tap water;
  • expose hospital gowns to prolonged boiling, thoroughly steam after drying;
  • regularly ventilate the room, do wet cleaning at home.

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