The specificity of the clinical manifestations of bacterial infection depends on the location of the pathogens and their types.
There are 3 main types of bacteria, each of which causes certain types of diseases.
In order to diagnose diseases in time and begin appropriate treatment, one should consider the characteristic symptoms of throat diseases, which are caused by the multiplication of anaerobic microbes, i.e. streptococci.
Streptococci - what is it?
Streptococci are anaerobic microbes from the lactobacillus family that are spherical in shape. They live mainly in the respiratory and digestive tract. Most often, pathogens are localized in the nasal cavity, throat and large intestine. Some types of bacteria can easily overcome interstitial spaces, so if not treated promptly, they can affect the liver, heart, brain and excretory system.
According to the international classification, the following types of streptococci are distinguished:
- alpha hemolytic (green);
- beta hemolytic;
- gamma streptococcus (non-hemolytic).
The greatest threat to the patient's health is a streptococcal throat infection, which is provoked by beta-hemolytic streptococcus. In the process of reproduction, it releases concentrated toxic substances that cause severe systemic complications. Pyogenic bacteria very often provoke the development of tonsillitis, tonsillopharyngitis, scarlet fever, tracheobronchitis, pneumonia and other diseases. Beta-hemolytic streptococcus leads to the development of rheumatism, brain inflammation and glomerulonephritis.
According to medical observations, children under 2-3 years of age rarely get streptococcal infection. But during the formation of immune reactivity, the risk of developing bacterial inflammation increases sharply.
In order to identify the disease in time, it is worth considering the typical manifestations of the most common infectious diseases of the throat.
Streptococcal sore throat
Streptococcal sore throat is a bacterial inflammation of the pharynx and components of the pharyngeal ring, namely, the tonsils. From the moment of infection until the first signs of the disease appear, no more than 4 days pass. As a rule, angina begins abruptly, as evidenced by the symptoms of intoxication - weakness, muscle and headache, nausea, etc.
Typical manifestations of the disease include:
- temperature increase;
- discomfort in the throat;
- enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes;
- body aches;
- decreased appetite;
- nausea;
- fever.
When such symptoms appear, it is advisable to examine the patient's oral cavity for inflammation of the tonsils and white plaque on the walls of the throat. In most cases, bacterial plaque and a slight increase in the glands are observed 3 days after infection. If symptoms are found, you need to seek help from an ENT doctor.
Soreness of the submandibular lymph nodes, absence of cough and white bloom on the tonsils in most cases indicates the development of streptococcal infection.
Dysbiosis, hypovitaminosis, hypothermia and irrational use of antibacterial agents contribute to the development of the disease. In children, the development of infection is often accompanied by the formation of purulent foci on the surface of the tonsils. If sore throat is not treated, over time it will lead to abscess of the paratonsillar and retropharyngeal region.
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a childhood disease caused by type A streptococci (beta-hemolytic). Fever, rash on the tongue and throat walls are typical symptoms of inflammation in the throat. The incubation period is on average 3-10 days. In rare cases, within a few hours after infection, patients begin to complain of abdominal pain, fever, malaise and body aches.
Along with the aforementioned symptoms, the following are also noted:
- peeling of the skin;
- small punctate rash on the tongue;
- headache;
- acute tonsillitis;
- heat;
- lack of appetite;
- nausea and vomiting.
Diffuse glomerulonephritis and necrotizing lymphadenitis are complications that arise in case of delayed treatment of scarlet fever.
When examining the patient, redness of the palatine arches, tonsils, uvula and back of the throat is observed. With an untimely appeal to a specialist, angina can turn into a follicular form. Then purulent streaks with a thick mucous coating are formed on the palatine tonsils. Simultaneously with the symptoms of intoxication, patients develop regional lymphadenitis, as evidenced by the pain of the cervical lymph nodes on palpation.
Streptococcal pharyngitis
Streptococcal pharyngitis is an acute inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa and lymphoid tissues at the back of the throat. Most often, the disease occurs in children and adolescents under 14 years of age. If the tonsils are involved in inflammatory reactions, the patients are diagnosed with tonsillopharyngitis.
As a rule, streptococci in the throat are localized in the lymphadenoid tissues, causing severe swelling and inflammation. In classic cases, an acute onset of the disease is considered typical, which is characterized by:
- headache;
- malaise;
- heat;
- tachycardia;
- dry cough;
- pain when swallowing;
- chills;
- hoarseness of voice;
- stomach ache;
- nausea.
When examining the patient, there is a reddening of the walls of the throat and loosening of the palatine tonsils. In places where the pathogenic flora is localized, the mucous membrane is covered with a yellowish coating. Over time, small red dots appear on the soft palate, indicating small hemorrhages.
For streptococcal infections, involvement in the pathological process of the larynx is not typical, which leads to partial or complete loss of voice.
A detailed symptomatic picture of tonsillopharyngitis is observed during epidemics and large outbreaks of the disease in large groups. Not so long ago, infectious disease specialists noticed that in endemic conditions, i.e. with local outbreaks of infections in individuals, streptococcal disease proceeds much easier and without complications.
In most cases, pharyngitis stops spontaneously even without the use of drugs. Within a week, the body temperature drops to normal levels, and local and general symptoms of the disease subside. And yet, when streptococcal pharyngitis appears in children, it is worth contacting a pediatrician, since with reduced immunity, he can give a complication to the liver and kidneys.
The course of the disease in children
The child's body is susceptible to allergization, so the symptoms of the disease appear acutely. Penetrating into the blood, bacterial metabolites provoke allergic reactions, as a result of which the tissues affected by inflammation swell greatly. For this reason, there is a risk of critical narrowing of the airway lumen, which can lead to suffocation.
If streptococcal infection affects infants, the development of the disease may be signaled by:
- capriciousness;
- purulent discharge from the nose;
- refusal to eat;
- tearfulness;
- heat;
- sweating;
- diarrhea;
- vomit.
Older children can independently inform their parents about the deterioration of health.As a rule, they complain of malaise, sore throat, nausea, weakness, soreness in the neck. When examining the oropharynx, a white coating can be found on the tonsils and the root of the tongue.
When the throat is affected by streptococci in children, the temperature often rises to febrile levels - 38.5-39 degrees.
Purulent processes in the respiratory organs lead to a deterioration in the well-being of the little patient. Due to the increase in symptoms of intoxication, there is a sore throat, dry cough, body aches, etc. If a small rash appears on the body within 3-4 days after the first signs of the disease appear, most likely the child has contracted scarlet fever.
In addition to throat ailments, bacterial inflammation leads to damage to other vital organs. Often tonsillitis, scarlet fever and pharyngotonsillitis are accompanied by ethmoiditis, sphenoiditis, eustachitis, otitis media and bronchitis. In most cases, side diseases occur with inadequate therapy or untimely drug treatment of streptococcal infection.
Strep throat in pregnant women
According to statistics, streptococcus in the throat is diagnosed in about 20-25% of women during pregnancy. In the first few weeks after conception, hormonal changes take place in the body, which negatively affects the body's defenses. A decrease in immunity is an impetus for the rapid multiplication of opportunistic microbes in the respiratory organs.
To prevent the development of infections in a woman's body, experts recommend using vitamin and mineral complexes when planning and during pregnancy. They contribute to the activation of the body's reserve forces, which prevents a decrease in its resistance to pathogenic agents. The development of bacterial inflammation in the throat can be signaled by:
- discomfort when swallowing;
- malaise;
- fever;
- redness of the palatine arches;
- pinpoint rash on the walls of the throat;
- persistent runny nose;
- soreness of the lymph nodes.
Beta-hemolytic streptococcus easily overcomes the placental barrier, so it can cause fetal development disorders.
Against the background of a decrease in immunity, pregnant women often experience serious complications - purulent otitis media, bladder diseases, pneumonia, etc. Only a timely response to the problem and competent treatment can not only prevent the spread of infection, but also reduce the likelihood of pathological intrauterine development of the child.
Streptococcus rate
If streptococcus is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism, then what concentration of bacteria in the throat is not dangerous for a person? It is impossible to say exactly about the quantitative norm of pathogens in the ENT organs, since the development of bacterial inflammation depends not so much on the number of streptococci in the throat, but on the body's ability to resist the rapid multiplication of microbes.
The rate of opportunistic bacteria in the throat is a very relative indicator. Depending on the balance of microflora and individual characteristics of the immune defense, the indicator of the norm in different people may differ significantly. According to microbiological analysis, in most people, 103 to 105 CFU / ml bacteria live on the mucous membrane of the throat. However, in some people, even with a streptococcal concentration of 106 CFU / ml, inflammation does not develop.
A throat swab is taken only if the patient complains of symptoms consistent with the development of streptococcal infection. In the course of a microbiological study, it is possible to accurately determine the causative agent of the infection and, accordingly, to prescribe an actual and effective treatment for ENT disease.
Complications
A complicated course of streptococcal infections is most often observed with the development of tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In people with reduced body resistance, symptoms of the development of side diseases may appear as early as a week after infection of the throat. Relatively mild complications include:
- purulent otitis media;
- lymphadenitis;
- pneumonia;
- sinusitis;
- acute bronchitis;
- paratonsillitis.
It should be noted that complications can occur even after the patient has recovered. Therefore, within 2-3 weeks after the regression of the main manifestations of the disease, it is desirable to be observed by a specialist.
Late complications that appear 14-16 days after recovery include:
- meningitis;
- myocarditis;
- pyelonephritis;
- osteomyelitis;
- endocarditis;
- rheumatism.
Against the background of streptococcal bronchopneumonia, the patient may experience necrotic lung diseases and pleurisy. The emergence of complications is facilitated by the merging of purulent foci of inflammation among themselves. When a mixed flora is found in the throat, i.e. streptococcus and staphylococcus, the risk of generalization of bacterial inflammation and the development of sepsis increases manifold.
Treatment principles
To destroy streptococcus, or rather to reduce its number in the respiratory organs, is possible only through antibiotics. Correct and timely prescription of drugs is the key to successful treatment and quick recovery of the patient. Until the exact determination of the causative agent of the infection, antimicrobial agents of a wide spectrum of action are prescribed. After diagnosis, the therapy regimen can be adjusted, which makes it possible to shorten the course of the disease and prevent complications.
As a rule, antibiotic therapy lasts no more than 10 days, after which the patient is prescribed medications with a general strengthening and immunostimulating action. In case of a complicated course of the disease, it is recommended to use drugs in the form of injection solutions, which are quickly absorbed into the tissues and inhibit the reproduction of microbes. To destroy streptococcal flora, the following can be prescribed:
- "Erythomycin";
- Cefazolin;
- "Amoxiclav";
- "Augmentin";
- Sumamed.
It is possible to alleviate the course of the disease by taking medications of symptomatic action - antipyretic, antiallergic, vasoconstrictor, decongestant, etc.
It is recommended to supplement the drug treatment of streptococcus in the throat with alternative therapy. They smooth out the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but at the same time do not create a load on the kidneys and liver. In the treatment of bacterial sore throat, decoctions of wild rose, thyme, medicinal chamomile and sage have proven themselves well.
Drinking plenty of fluids accelerates the elimination of waste products of bacteria from the systemic circulation, thereby eliminating the symptoms of intoxication.
