Streptococci are part of the normal microflora of the human body. In the nasopharynx, their number ranges from 30 to 60%. These bacteria enter the body with food. They themselves eat what remains from the products that enter the body, and the exfoliated epithelium. In fairness, we note that streptococci live not only in the nose. They also inhabit the throat, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and genital mucosa, as well as the skin.
Why are streptococci dangerous?
When the protective properties of the body are reduced, streptococci receive a "green light" for active reproduction. Moreover, they become malicious. Bacteria and toxins released by them in the process of vital activity penetrate into the blood. As a result, diseases develop, which are usually called streptococcal infections. A sick person is a danger to others, because when sneezing and coughing, pathogenic streptococci are secreted in huge quantities.
Diseases of streptococcal origin are leading in prevalence in countries in the temperate zone. In autumn and winter, the incidence rate increases significantly and ranges from 10 to 15 cases for every hundred people. Fortunately, streptococci do not form spores, so they quickly lose their stability. The sun's rays, disinfection solutions and antibiotics have a detrimental effect on these bacteria.
The streptococcus bacterium has the shape of a ball. Its dimensions range from 0.5 to 1 micron. The carrier of its genetic information is the nucleus, where the DNA molecule is stored. Reproduction of this bacterium occurs by dividing in half. The cells formed as a result of such division do not diverge, but adjoin each other in pairs or in the form of a chain.
Streptococci are characterized by the following properties:
- bright staining with aniline dye (for this reason, streptococcus is called a gram-positive bacterium);
- do not form spores, but can be encapsulated;
- sufficiently stable in the external environment:
- dust, dried phlegm and purulent discharge - a favorable environment in which they can be stored for several months (however, the degree of pathogenicity in this case is gradually decreasing);
- do not die when frozen;
- temperatures above 56 ° C can kill them in 30 minutes;
- when treated with a disinfectant, the death of bacteria occurs after 15 minutes;
- air is not necessary for life (therefore, they not only inhabit the skin, but also circulate calmly in the blood.
Streptococci are divided into several types. However, the nasopharynx suffers from only two - B and C. It is they who are guilty of the development of laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.
How can you get infected
There are only 2 ways of infection with pathogenic streptococcal bacteria:
self-infection;- infection from the outside.
self-infection;As already mentioned, everyone has streptococci. True, they do not cause illness only as long as the local immunity system is working properly. But if there is a failure in the immune system, these bacteria begin to penetrate into the blood. With the blood flow, pathogenic streptococci enter the internal organs, where this or that disease develops.
Self-infection can occur when:
- surgical removal of adenoids or tonsils;
- chronic course of sinusitis, tonsillitis and bronchitis.
Infection with pathogenic streptococcus from the outside, as a rule, other people are to blame. The source of infection can be:
- a person who suffers from any disease of streptococcal origin (the most dangerous is the one whose focus of infection is located in the nasopharynx);
- a hidden carrier of streptococcus, who does not even know about the presence of these bacteria in his body;
Infection can be transmitted to humans in only three ways:
- This path is the main one. This is how infection occurs most often. The release of harmful bacteria outside becomes possible thanks to droplets of saliva, which are sprayed not only when sneezing and coughing, but even when talking. Microscopic droplets are suspended in the air. If a healthy person breathes in a portion of such air "flavored" with bacteria, he will get a streptococcal disease.
Drops of saliva containing pathogenic bacteria, being sprayed in the above way, dry out and remain on various objects (these can be personal items, towels, etc.) or simply settle together with house dust. Cold air and high humidity are the ideal environment to keep streptococci alive. You can get infected through dirty hands.- Infection of products with streptococci occurs during their preparation and sale. Therefore, it is dangerous to buy in places not intended for trade products that cannot be thermally processed: milk, butter, compotes, confectionery (if they are creamy), various salads and sandwiches. The use of an infected product can provoke pharyngitis and sore throat.
Drops of saliva containing pathogenic bacteria, being sprayed in the above way, dry out and remain on various objects (these can be personal items, towels, etc.) or simply settle together with house dust. Cold air and high humidity are the ideal environment to keep streptococci alive. You can get infected through dirty hands.From the nose to the throat
If streptococci in the nasal cavity begin to multiply and turn into pathogenic microorganisms, the pharynx will be the first to suffer. Affecting her, they cause diseases such as acute tonsillitis, pharyngitis and scarlet fever (the latter ailment in a child develops more often than in an adult).
Acute tonsillitis (tonsillitis)
This diagnosis is made with acute inflammation of the tonsils on the pharyngeal ring, provoked by streptococci. If the local immunity is reduced, the multiplication of bacteria occurs almost at lightning speed. As a result, the person gets a sore throat.
Toxins produced by harmful bacteria seep into the bloodstream - because of this, the body temperature rises, a feeling of weakness and body aches appears. Depending on the level of susceptibility to infection and the state of the body's defense system, the disease can be easily tolerated (the temperature is within normal limits, and the sore throat is almost invisible). If immunity is reduced, there is a risk of developing a severe necrotic form (accompanied by high fever, severe intoxication and tonsil necrosis).
With an unfavorable course, acute tonsillitis can be complicated by otitis media, lymphadenitis, paratonsillar abscess, glomerulonephritis, articular rheumatism and rheumatic heart disease.
Pharyngitis
This is the name of a disease in which the mucous membrane of the pharynx (its back wall) becomes inflamed, as well as the posterior palatine arches, uvula and lymphatic follicles. Infection occurs both by self-infection and from the outside. The inflammatory process in this case is descending - the bacteria in the nose gradually affect the trachea, and behind it the bronchi.
Pharyngitis can be suspected by unpleasant tickling, sore throat when swallowing, cough, low-grade fever. At the same time, the general state of health remains satisfactory.
If the treatment of pharyngitis is untimely or incorrect, it can be complicated by paratonsillar abscess, laryngitis or tracheitis.
Scarlet fever
This is an acute illness caused by streptococcus. Having multiplied in the nose, it enters the pharynx through the mucous membrane. Most often, a focus of bacteria development is formed in the pharynx. From there, the so-called erythrogenic toxin enters the bloodstream. It is he who is guilty of the appearance on the body of the characteristic rash, intoxication and high fever. If a person has immunity against the toxin secreted by streptococci, he is likely to get off with an ordinary sore throat.
Scarlet fever in adults can occur in an erased form.Signs in this case will be a pale skin rash and minor symptoms of intoxication. In a child, this ailment is usually accompanied by a high fever and symptoms of serious intoxication. In rare cases, the toxin provokes shock, which leads to damage to the heart muscle.
The disease can be complicated by lymphadenitis, otitis media, as well as arthritis, nephritis, endo- or myocarditis.
When the lower airways are affected
Reproducing, streptococci are not limited to the nasopharynx and occupy more and more new territories. Gradually, they get to the bronchi and lungs - this is how bronchitis and pneumonia arise. If the infection occurred from the outside, bacteria can immediately enter a favorable environment for them - on the mucous membrane of the lower respiratory tract. Then the disease will develop even faster.
Bronchitis
This disease occurs when there is an active development of streptococci on the mucous membrane of both small and large bronchi. The mucous membrane becomes inflamed, as a result of which mucus begins to be secreted vigorously. Outwardly, this is manifested by an increase in body temperature, cough, shortness of breath and symptoms of general intoxication.
How difficult the disease will be depends on the state of the immune system. Children and adults with weak immunity often suffer from protracted (about 3 weeks) severe forms of this disease. This bronchitis is accompanied by a debilitating cough and high fever.
The disease can be complicated by inflammation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as chronic and asthmatic bronchitis.
Pneumonia
When a streptococcal infection reaches the lungs, there is a risk of pneumonia. True, we note that such a serious pathological process can occur only with an excessive weakening of immunity. Worst of all, such pneumonia is tolerated by babies who have not yet reached 3 years of age, and the elderly.
Streptococcus infection of the bronchi leads to inflammation of the alveoli, which immediately spreads to nearby tissues. As a result, exudate begins to form and accumulate in the lungs. Thus, gas exchange is disrupted, and pneumonia appears. This disease can be suspected by fever, "jumping" temperature, unreasonable cough and shortness of breath.
Pneumonia can be complicated by lung abscess, pleurisy, and pneumosclerosis. However, this can be really avoided if the ailment is correctly diagnosed and the treatment is started on time.
Nasal streptococcus threatens the ears and brain
Those who believe that streptococcus will not go anywhere beyond the nose are deeply mistaken. In addition to serious diseases of the respiratory tract, these bacteria can also provoke inflammation of the ear and even the brain.
Otitis
When a person infected with streptococci blows their nose or sneezes, harmful bacteria from the nasal cavity enter the middle ear. Transit takes place through the Eustachian tube. Once in the middle ear, microorganisms begin to actively reproduce right in the auditory tube and tympanic cavity. Otitis is manifested by sharp shooting pain in the ear and the discharge of pus from the ear canal.
With otitis externa, streptococci are introduced into the auricle from the outside. Bacteria immediately seep into microscopic cracks in the skin or take a fancy to a hair follicle in the ear canal. Such otitis media is accompanied by severe pain, decreased hearing acuity and fever.
The disease can be complicated by a chronic form of its course, rupture of the tympanic membrane, hearing loss, labyrinthitis and brain abscess.
Meningitis
This ailment is diagnosed with purulent inflammation of the membranes of the brain. Most often, it develops if streptococcus enters the meninges from the nasopharynx or other foci of inflammation (in the ear, bronchi, lungs). Children under 5 years of age get meningitis more often than adults. If immunity is reduced, streptococcal bacteria freely cross the blood-brain barrier. In addition, there are few immune cells (phagocytes) between the membranes of the brain. Therefore, bacteria multiply very actively. Due to the development of streptococcus in the tissues of the brain, the latter swells, intracranial pressure rises, and the toxins released by bacteria begin to poison the nerve cells.
This serious ailment manifests itself with strong incessant headache attacks, impaired consciousness, delirium, high fever, repeated vomiting, increased muscle tone and a number of specific meningeal symptoms.
The course of meningitis can be mild, moderate and severe. If a person can boast of strong immunity, and meningitis proceeds easily, the symptoms are limited only by signs of intoxication and moderate intensity headache. The severity of symptoms in other cases is quite bright. A severe form can develop in a person with a weak immune system or an absent spleen.
Meningitis can be complicated by septic shock, cerebral edema, adrenal insufficiency, septic panophthalmitis.
Treatment methods for infection
With scarlet fever and acute tonsillitis, it is necessary to adhere to bed rest, diet and drink a lot. It is recommended that the food be pureed or liquid. Protein will have to be temporarily limited. It is strictly forbidden to thermally irritate the affected throat mucosa. Therefore, it is necessary to completely exclude from the diet too cold and too hot dishes. You can return to your usual diet only when the acute phase has passed.
Treatment of ailments caused by streptococci should have a clear etiological and symptomatic rationale.
- Etiotropic therapy. Assumes adequate antibiotic therapy. The drug is selected depending on what the results of the analysis of a smear taken from the pharynx are. After the causative agent of the disease and its reaction to a number of antibiotics are determined, the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment:
penicillin antibacterial drugs - "Erythromycin", "Benzylpenicillin", "Ampicillin";- semi-synthetic penicillins - "Amoxicillin", "Amoxiclav";
- cephalosporins - "Cephalexin", "Cefaclor";
- sulfonamides - "Co-trimoxazole";
- macrolides - "Clarithromycin", "Azithromycin".
- pro- and prebiotics (to restore the intestinal microflora) - "Bifiform", "Acipol", "Linex".
penicillin antibacterial drugs - "Erythromycin", "Benzylpenicillin", "Ampicillin";- Symptomatic treatment. Provides for the elimination of symptoms of the disease annoying to a person - for example, a runny nose, sore throat and sore throat. Such therapy is performed:
- antihistamines - "Zodak", "Diazolin", "Suprastin";
- immunomodulators of local and general action - "Lizobactom", "Imudon", "Imunoriks", "Immunal";
- the appointment of vitamin C intake to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and remove toxins from the body;
- gargling with antiseptic drugs - "Dioxidin", "Furacilin", as well as propolis tincture and healing decoctions of calendula, sage and chamomile;
- the appointment of aerosols and lozenges to soften the throat - "Geksoral", "Miramistin", "Strepsils".
Disease with streptococcal bacteriophage is also treated. EGo is prescribed exclusively in difficult cases. It is suitable for widespread use, since it can treat streptococcus in its various forms. The drug successfully fights inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract, ears and skin. Before you start taking this medication, you need to find out how sensitive the type of streptococcus found in the patient is to it. The way of using this drug directly depends on where the infectious focus is.
Note that, in addition to the streptococcal bacteriophage, a combined pyobacteriophage is also used today.
Traditional medicine recommendations
Traditional recipes for the treatment of diseases of streptococcal origin can be used as an adjunct to the course of medications prescribed by the doctor. Traditional medicine fights against streptococcal infection with decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants and berries, leading in the amount of vitamins (as a rule, these are raspberries, cranberries and rose hips). Taking such drugs, you can significantly increase immunity and at the same time speed up the process of removing toxins from the body. For detoxification, it is very good to drink decoctions of those plants that are characterized by diuretic properties (for example, bearberry or lingonberry leaves).
Decoctions of medicinal plants with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties (for example, string, chamomile, willow and oak bark) must be applied not only internally, but also externally - in the form of lotions and rinses.
Any thermal procedures (visit to the bathhouse) should be carried out exclusively after the onset of recovery. It should be borne in mind that overheating also negatively affects the body, like freezing.
Before treating a streptococcal infection with any alternative method, do not forget about the need to consult a doctor.
Let's summarize
Streptococcal infection, which can cause both a harmless runny nose and severe brain damage, is usually aggravated and complicated by a weakened immune system. If the disease caused by it is treated incorrectly, it will only get worse. Therefore, the appearance of the very first symptoms should already push a person to a competent and thorough examination by an experienced specialist.
The best prevention of streptococcal diseases will be adherence to hygiene of the body and housing, hardening, playing sports, good nutrition, rejection of addictions and lack of contact with sick people.
