Staphylococcus - what is it, types, symptoms and treatment in adults of staph infection

Staphylococcus (Staphylococcus) is a bacterium that has the correct spherical shape and belongs to the group of gram-positive non-motile cocci. Most often, under a microscope, you can see an accumulation of such bacteria, which in appearance resemble a bunch of grapes.

Due to the high resistance of the microbe to antibacterial drugs, diseases of staphylococcal etiology occupy a leading place among all purulent-inflammatory pathologies. It is important for everyone to know about staphylococcus: what kind of disease it is in adults, its symptoms and treatment in order to prevent irreversible health consequences.

Staphylococcus: what is it?

Staphylococcus aureus is a non-motile, spherical bacterium belonging to the Staphylococcus family (Staphylococcaceae). This is an extensive group of bacteria, numbering 27 species, 14 of which are found on the skin and mucous membranes of humans. However, only 3 species are capable of causing disease., therefore, belong to the conditionally pathogenic microflora. Under favorable conditions, it actively multiplies, causing various purulent processes in the human body.

Given the fact that staphylococcal infections are extremely resistant to antibiotic therapy used against them, staphylococcus ranks first among pyoinflammatory diseases, the symptoms of which may indicate an inflammatory process in any organ.

Staphylococcus tolerates heat well and also drying. These bacteria die at a temperature of 70 - 80ºС within 20 - 30 minutes, and at a temperature of 150ºС - almost instantly.

The most common toxic staphylococcal disease is food poisoning. Almost 50% of all secrete enterotoxin - a poison that causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Staphylococci multiply well in many foods, especially butter creams, vegetable and meat salads, and canned food. In the process of reproduction, a toxin accumulates in food, and it is with the toxin, and not with the microbe itself, that the symptoms of the disease in a careless eater are associated.

Kinds

All types of this microorganism are classified as conditionally pathogenic microflora. This means that they do not threaten a healthy person, but under adverse conditions they can cause a disease.

There are three types of staphylococcus, which are the most common and harmful to the human body:

  • Saprophytic staphylococcus aureus most often affects women, causing them to have inflammatory diseases of the bladder () and kidneys. Saprophytic staphylococcus bacteria are localized in the layers of the skin of the genitals and the mucous membrane of the urethra. Of all the types of staphylococcus, it causes the least lesions;
  • Epidermal staphylococcus aureus. It is most dangerous in premature, weakened children and in patients with immunodeficiencies, oncological diseases. The habitat of this pest is the mucous membrane and skin.
  • Staphylococcus aureus. This is the most dangerous type of microbe, which is especially common in the environment. Organisms of all age categories are susceptible to infection.

Each type of staphylococcus has many strains (varieties) that differ from each other in the degree of aggressiveness and pathogenicity.

Causes of a staph infection

The cause of the development of almost all staphylococcal diseases is a violation of the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes, as well as the use of contaminated food. The level of harm also depends on the strain of bacteria as well as the functioning of the immune system. The stronger the immune system, the less harm staphylococci can cause to human health.

Both a sick person and an infection carrier (asymptomatic) can act as a source of the spread of this infection, and according to certain data, more than 40% of people who are completely healthy are such carriers. They can act as carriers of any strain of staphylococcus.

Thus, we can conclude that in most cases, a combination of 2 factors is necessary for staphylococcus disease:

  • infection inside;
  • disruption of the normal functioning of the immune system.

Particularly important factors in the development of infections are:

  • decreased immunity,
  • the use of strong medications, immunosuppressants,
  • chronic pathologies,
  • stress, environmental impact.

Staphylococcal infections are especially severe in young children and the elderly.

Diseases caused by staphylococci

Staphylococcus aureus is capable of infecting most tissues of the human body. In total, there are more than a hundred diseases caused by a staphylococcal infection. Staphylococcal infection is characterized by the presence of many different mechanisms, routes and factors of transmission.

Staphylococcus in adults can cause such diseases:

  • Lesions of the skin and mucous membranes - boils, purulent wounds.
  • Food poisoning.
  • Inflammation of the lungs of a bacterial nature.
  • Endocarditis.
  • Osteomyelitis.
  • Meningitis.
  • Blood poisoning.

Staphylococcus aureus is especially dangerous in this regard, which can penetrate anywhere in the body and cause a generalized infection.

Who is at risk for infection

  • Pregnant women who can be immunized with toxoid at 32-36 weeks.
  • Elderly people are also predisposed to infection, especially those with diseases such as rheumatism, diabetes mellitus, eczema, and oncological diseases.
  • Any people, both adults and children, whose immunity is reduced.
  • Medical workers, catering workers, by virtue of their profession.

The infection enters the active phase of reproduction at the moments:

  • hypothermia of the body;
  • when flowing and ;
  • in case of failures of the endocrine system;
  • in inflammatory diseases of internal organs and systems.

How is staphylococcus transmitted to humans?

All diseases that a bacterium causes can occur as a result of the fact that the infection enters the body due to a violation of the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes, because it is a permanent inhabitant of the human microflora. In addition, infection can occur exogenously, that is, with food or as a result of close contact.

The main ways of transmission of the pathogen:

  • Airborne. The mechanism of transmission is based on the inhalation of air, which contains microorganisms. This transmission mechanism becomes possible if bacteria are released into the environment along with exhaled air (in case of a disease of the respiratory apparatus: bronchitis or pneumonia).
  • Medical instruments. In the absence of asepsis rules, you can become infected in the same district clinic during a routine examination by a therapist.
  • Contact household: by direct contact with a sick person or contaminated household items.
  • Food - infection is possible by eating contaminated foods.
  • fecal-oral. Directly related to non-compliance with hygiene standards. Staphylococcus aureus is present in the feces and vomit of an infected person. It is transmitted through dirty hands, with poorly washed vegetables, berries and fruits, poorly washed dishes.

Once in the body, staphylococcus begins to multiply rapidly and produce toxins that adversely affect health, leading to certain pathologies.

Infection with staphylococcus aureus is ensured if the state of the immune system is weakened, and the person has been in contact with the carrier of this microbe.

Staphylococcus symptoms

The clinical picture (symptoms) of staphylococcus can be very diverse, depending on the affected organ, the bacterial strain, the age of the person, the functionality (health) of the potential patient's immunity.

Combine all staphylococcal infections such signs:

  • Fever, local (at the site of infection) or general fever.
  • The presence of purulent processes.
  • Intoxication - general deterioration, loss of appetite, drowsiness, joint pain.

The following symptoms are also characteristic:

  • Ulcers on the skin of different sizes: boils, pyoderma, abscesses and more.
  • Cough and with purulent yellowish-green discharge.
  • Mucus in the stool, upset stool, nausea.
  • Pain at the site of infection. For example, with staphylococcal osteomyelitis, bones begin to hurt, endocarditis may be accompanied by heart pain.

Staphylococcus can affect almost all systems, tissues and organs, giving a clinic of staphylococcal local or general diseases. The skin, subcutaneous tissue, nervous system, kidneys, liver, lungs, urinary system, bone tissue can be affected and a general infection of the body (sepsis) can occur.

Important! After the disease, immunity to these microorganisms is unstable. You can get these infections several times in your life. There are no special measures to immunize people against this type of bacteria.

Complications

If a person knows what staphylococcus is, he also knows how dangerous the active phase of this pathogenic microorganism is.

  • Exacerbation of existing chronic diseases of the respiratory system, digestive tract, sugar,.
  • Ingestion of other pathogenic microbes (streptococci, pneumococci, etc.) into the body.
  • The development of septicemia (blood poisoning).

Staphylococcal infection not only leads to a number of serious illnesses, but can also be complicated by life-threatening conditions. Pathogenic staphylococcus, getting into the bloodstream, is able to penetrate the heart, the brain, and in some cases spread to many organs, causing sepsis.

Diagnostics

If there is a suspicion of staphylococcus - what is it, the attending physician will explain and diagnose. The diagnosis is made after a cultural study of pathogen samples taken from the foci of infection (any areas of suppuration, blisters, dried crusts, etc.).

Diagnostic methods depend on which department is affected by the infection.

  • When it comes to staphylococcal infection, it is enough to collect sputum after coughing.
  • If the genitourinary system is infected, you will have to collect a urine sample.
  • With a superficial lesion - scrapings from the skin and a fence from the mucous membranes.

For diagnostics appoint:

  • biochemical blood test;
  • examination of feces and urine;
  • saliva smear;
  • smear from the skin.

During the analysis, it is also important to determine how sensitive the bacterium is to the effects of antibiotics, due to which it will be possible to determine the most effective drug for subsequent treatment.

Treatment of staphylococcus in adults

Local forms of staphylococcal infection are treated at home. Hospitalization is indicated in cases of generalization of the process, endocarditis, or, if necessary, surgical treatment of purulent-necrotic skin lesions - boils or carbuncles.

The modern approach to the treatment of staphylococcal infections provides for the following areas of treatment:

  • The use of modern antimicrobial drugs and antibiotics;
  • Surgical methods of treatment;
  • Immunomodulation methods;
  • Normalization of the hormonal status and the metabolic process of the body with the help of food additives (chitosan, cordyceps), mineral preparations, vitamins.

Antibiotics

Bacterioscopic culture determines the presence of pathogenic flora and its appearance. Only after that antibiotics are prescribed in tablets and injections that can kill the harmful flora.

It is impossible to say unequivocally which antibiotic kills staphylococcus aureus, because each strain of bacteria is sensitive to a particular drug. The most commonly used drugs include the following groups of antibiotics:

  • penicillin;
  • whole phasporin;
  • macrolides;
  • lincosamides.

Treatment of staphylococcal infection requires strict adherence to the frequency of administration, the time of use of the drug and its dosage. It is important to take the prescribed antibiotic not until the first symptoms disappear, but not less than 5 days. If it is necessary to extend the course, the doctor will inform about it. In addition, you can not stop treatment, therapy must be continuous.

Surgical methods

The goal of surgery for staphylococcal infection is to open the abscess and ensure a good outflow of purulent-inflammatory exudate. Opened abscesses are washed with antibiotic solutions and drained. Proteases are widely used - enzymes that are able to cleave peptide bonds in proteins and decay products, thereby accelerating the cleansing of purulent wounds.

Bacteriophages in staphylococcal infections

To combat staphylococcus, bacteriophages can be used - viruses with a selective ability to defeat staphylococcus. For external treatment, ointments containing antibacterial components that have an antiseptic and regenerating effect are used.

Immunomodulators

To stimulate the immune system in children and adults, the use of herbal preparations is indicated - echinacea (Immunal), ginseng (Ginseng tincture, preparations in the form of tablets and capsules) and Schisandra chinensis.

The use of vitamin and mineral preparations

One of the reasons for the decrease in immunity and the frequent recurrence of infections (including Staphylococcus aureus infection) is the lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. Therefore, vitamin and mineral preparations are successfully used in the treatment and prevention of these infections.

The use of these drugs is most justified in the presence of other signs of vitamin deficiency or during the off-season.

Before starting vitamin preparations or nutritional supplements, we recommend that you consult with your doctor and discuss the appropriateness of such treatment, as well as the risks and consequences associated with it.

How to treat folk remedies

Before using any folk remedies for staphylococcus aureus, we recommend that you consult with your doctor.

  1. Apricot. In inflammatory processes on the skin due to staphylococcal infection, apricot pulp has proven itself well, which must be applied to the foci of inflammation. To treat an internal infection, you need to eat apricot puree 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening, on an empty stomach.
  2. Skin staph infections are also well treated with garlic. 50 g of garlic is crushed and pounded and mixed with 150 ml of water. After filtering in the resulting infusion, a bandage is moistened and applied to sore spots on the skin. It is recommended to carry out the procedure twice a day for 10 days.
  3. Dry hypericum. Brew 2 tsp with a glass of boiling water. herbs, cover with a cloth and let it brew for 30 minutes. Take on an empty stomach before breakfast and dinner.
  4. Recommended for use and chamomile decoction. 2 tsp chamomile boil in a glass of water for about five minutes. Then the broth is filtered and cooled. It is used as a rinse, rinse and wipe.
  5. A good treatment for staphylococcus is black currant. Blackcurrant contains the highest amount of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and promotes a speedy recovery. Also, blackcurrant will be effective in the treatment of streptococcus.

It is strictly forbidden to use any thermal procedures at home to accelerate the maturation of abscesses. Hot baths, baths and saunas will only worsen the patient's condition and lead to further spread of the infection.

Prevention

Understanding how difficult it is to treat staphylococcus, most doctors pay attention to the prevention of infection. It is simply impossible to completely get rid of different types of this microorganism. Therefore, the key task is not to eliminate the bacteria, but to prevent the development of an infectious process.

It is important to carry out regular prevention of the disease, without waiting for the onset of infection. As a preventive measure, the following methods are used:

  • hygiene;
  • prevention of beriberi;
  • treatment of wounds and cuts with antibacterial agents;
  • injury prevention;
  • sweating prevention;
  • careful processing of vegetables and fruits before eating,
  • exclusion from the diet of products with compromised packaging integrity.

Staphylococcal infections are extremely dangerous for human health, because they can cause serious complications. It is necessary to treat infections of this type under the supervision of a specialist.

It is impossible to completely get rid of the presence of staphylococci in the body. They are part of the opportunistic human microflora. Small amounts do no harm.

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