Every person lives in an environment of a huge number of microorganisms. These are the same inhabitants of our planet as we are people. Some bacteria are indispensable helpers and, living inside our body, help, for example, digest food, even produce some vitamins. But there are also those that, up to a certain point, do not cause concern, for example, green streptococcus, which often settles in the throat. But if the bacterium begins to multiply intensively, then this can already cause a lot of trouble. Let's find out how to recognize the danger and how to treat green streptococcus.
What is streptococcus
Among all the bacteria that coexist with humans, this is the most common. You can find it on:
- household items;
- skin;
- mucous membrane of the nasal or oral cavity;
- in the digestive tract.
The bacterium has a spherical shape and belongs to the lactobacillus family. Its stability is explained by the fact that it is able to form a capsule, which is beyond the power of our immune system. ATThree types of streptococci can live in the human oral cavity:
- alpha hemolytic streptococcus;
- gamma streptococcus;
- beta hemolytic.
The first type is also called alpha-green streptococci, because they are able to color the blood medium green due to partial hemolysis of red blood cells. This type of microorganism often lives on the teeth and gums and leads to the development of caries. This is due to the fact that its structure contains proteins that can bind saliva, firmly attaching to the teeth. After eating, bacteria decompose the remnants of food intensively, releasing acid, which destroys our teeth. That's why it's so important to at least rinse your mouth with clean water after every meal.
Alpha and gamma streptococci are safer for humans, they can be de alt with, but the beta form of bacteria causes the most serious pathologies.
Streptococcus species
If we consider the types of bacteria of this group, we can distinguish the following:
- Hemolytic streptococcus. It is an almost constant inhabitant of the skin and mucous membranes. Living in the throat, it may not make itself felt for a long time. But with a decrease in immunity, it begins to multiply intensively, leading to the appearance of tonsillitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis and other diseases.
- Greening streptococcus, or non-hemolytic. This bacterium makes up almost 60% of the entire microflora of the oral cavity. It can also enter the intestines, but its penetration with the bloodstream to the heart muscle is dangerous for the development of bacterialendocarditis.
- Pyogenic streptococcus. It is most often found in the throat, but can travel to the skin, rectum, or vagina. This is a rather dangerous variety, which in severe cases leads to fatal diseases.
The danger for the organism of streptococci lies in the fact that they can easily form a protective capsule that saves them from phagocytosis by leukocytes. They can also easily change and turn into an L-shape. By changing, bacteria are able to hide from attacks of the immune system for a long time.
Causes of streptococcus in the throat
These bacteria, along with other microorganisms, are all around us and enter our respiratory tract all the time. No matter how we get rid of them, they will certainly settle again. Streptococci get to us in the following ways:
- through the respiratory tract;
- with food that has not been heat treated;
- from unwashed hands;
- from pets, as they live on their wool;
- from another person while kissing.
But if our immune system is working properly, then it easily copes with uninvited guests and restrains their reproduction. In acceptable quantities, viridescent streptococcus does not pose a he alth hazard. But when the balance is disturbed, infectious diseases develop. The question arises, is it possible to get infected with them?
Methods of contracting a streptococcal infection
If the body is out of balancebetween the strength of the immune system and bacteria, it is quite possible to catch an infection. But factors can lead to a violation of this balance:
- if a sick person sprays a large number of pathogenic microorganisms around him;
- poor personal hygiene;
- sharing other people's personal hygiene items;
- eating prepared foods from the store that are not cooked, such as prepared salads;
- viral infection that weakens the immune system;
- herpes recurrence;
- hypercooling of the body;
- immunodeficiency states.
If you already have streptococcus viridans, green, the treatment in the nose from which did not give a positive result, then the bacterium can easily move into the oral cavity.
I must say that individually each of the listed factors is unlikely to lead to infection, but when layering one on top of the other, it is quite possible. For example, a patient is infected with the herpes virus and, after hypothermia, came into contact with a carrier of a streptococcal infection in the throat. In this case, the risk of infection is high.
How to recognize a streptococcal infection
There are many varieties of this bacterium, but there are some manifestations that are similar. If the disease is caused by viridescent streptococcus, the symptoms will be as follows, as with another type of this microorganism:
- a sharp increase in symptoms;
- weakness appears immediately;
- temperature abruptlycreeps up and reaches 39-40 degrees;
- a person is thrown into the cold, then into the heat;
- the tonsils are very swollen and covered with white bloom;
- pain when swallowing;
- voice becomes muffled;
- headaches appear;
- the muscles of the back of the head become inactive, soreness appears when opening the mouth.
When these symptoms appear, it is necessary to call a doctor who, after the studies, will make a diagnosis and prescribe therapy.
How to make a correct diagnosis
All bacterial infections at diagnosis require recognition of the pathogen and its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs. Otherwise, therapy may not give the desired result. To determine the type of bacteria in a throat infection, a swab is taken and examined after culturing under a microscope.
The specialist examines the colony, cell characteristics, varieties and determines how sensitive they are to antibiotics. As a rule, such an analysis takes several days. But you can not spend a lot of time on finding out what destroys the green streptococcus, treatment must be started without waiting for the results, since this microorganism is sensitive to all antibiotics. This allows you to immediately start therapy and quickly suppress the infection.
Greening streptococcus: treatment
If this bacterium is the cause of an infectious disease, thentherapy boils down to taking:
- local antibiotics;
- systemic antibiotics;
- folk remedies.
If a green streptococcus has settled in the throat, treatment must begin with antibiotics, which will quickly cope with the microorganism. If we talk about local drugs, then doctors often prescribe Bioporox, which must be sprayed into the throat up to 4 times a day. Duration of application is about 7 days.
But recently there has been a lot of discussion around this drug, and there have been negative reviews from experts who claim that this remedy destroys all microflora. In some countries, the production of the drug has been suspended.
Greening streptococci in the oral cavity are amenable to therapy and systemic drugs, such as penicillin antibiotics:
- "Ampicillin";
- "Amoxicillin";
- "Amoxiclav";
- Amosin.
The doctor prescribes the patient 500 mg three times a day for 10 days. During therapy, it must be remembered that these agents have a detrimental effect on the entire microflora, so it is important to simultaneously take probiotics, such as Linex, to normalize the balance of bacteria.
Greening streptococcus in the throat requires intake and immunomodulators to stimulate the immune system. These drugs are:
- "Imudon";
- "IRS-19".
If greening broke out against the background of a viral infectionstreptococcus, treatment should be supplemented with antiviral drugs:
- Ergoferon;
- "Cycloferon";
- Ingavirin.
Auxiliary Therapy
If green streptococcus is in the throat, treatment should be supplemented with symptomatic therapy:
- take antipyretics to bring down a high fever;
- drink plenty of fluids, but not very hot or cold;
- gargle with aseptic solutions;
- wash tonsils;
- use throat lozenges for sucking;
- use vasoconstrictors.
If you follow all the doctor's recommendations and complete the full course of therapy, then, as a rule, by the fifth day, the tonsils are noticeably cleared of white plaque, the temperature returns to normal, and the sore throat subsides.
When taking a course of antibiotics, it must be remembered that early termination of treatment is fraught with a quick return of the infection and an increase in the resistance of microorganisms, it will be much more difficult to cope with streptococci if they attack the body again.
Features of infection in children
Despite the fact that the symptoms of the disease are similar, children have some features of the course of the disease and its treatment.
Signs of the disease in babies are almost the same as adults, but children are even more likely to lose their appetite during an infection.
If a viridescent streptococcus is found, the child should be treated only under the supervision of a doctor. The dosage and duration of therapy are selected taking into account the severity of the pathology, age and weight.baby. Now there are drugs that can be prescribed even to infants. To reduce the temperature, it is recommended to take Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
If the child already knows how to do this, then it is necessary to rinse the mouth and throat with Furacilin or Chlorhexidine. You can use decoctions of herbs for these purposes, such as chamomile.
To strengthen the immune system, children are prescribed vitamin preparations.
In the first days of illness, it is important to observe bed rest.
Use folk remedies against streptococcus
As an addition to drug treatment, you can use folk remedies that will help defeat the green streptococcus. They will reduce the symptoms of an infectious disease, strengthen the immune system, reduce the inflammatory process and remove pathogenic microorganisms and their waste products from the human body.
The most effective remedies include the recipes below.
You can make an infusion from a tablespoon of rose hips, raspberry leaves, a small amount of cranberries and a glass of boiling water. After an hour of infusion, take it warm twice a day.
You can gargle with this composition: brew a tablespoon of willow bark and string in 300 ml of water, leave for a couple of hours and you can use it.
It is useful to chew a piece of propolis for 5 minutes, repeat the procedure three times a day.
Grate the beets and pour boiling water in a ratio of 1:1. Leave for 6 hours under the lid, then add the dining roomspoonful of apple cider vinegar, strain and gargle every hour.
Use ready-made alcohol infusions of eucalyptus and calendula for gargling.
Take decoctions and infusions to stimulate the immune system, such as a decoction of rose hips, eleutherococcus tincture or echinacea.
In combination with medicines, folk therapies will help get rid of the infection faster.
Complications of the disease
If you do not treat a streptococcal infection, it will very quickly begin to move into the lower parts of the respiratory system and lead to the development of the following complications:
- laryngitis;
- tracheitis;
- bronchitis;
- otitis media
If you have streptococcus viridans, pneumonia is another complication it can cause.
There may be later complications that develop 2-4 weeks after recovery. This may be due to an incomplete course of treatment or refusal to take antibiotics. The most common complications are:
- myocarditis and endocarditis;
- rheumatism;
- glomerulonephritis;
- meningitis;
- osteomyelitis.
When it comes to a small child, streptococcal bronchopneumonia can lead to pleurisy, pleural empyema, which in premature babies is even fatal.
If the disease is treated in a timely manner, then such complications can be avoided.
Streptococcus in gynecology
It's not uncommon for a woman topicks up a streptococcal infection while being treated in the gynecological department. In the presence of pathologies in the reproductive system, the body is weakened, so it is much easier for microorganisms to penetrate and cause the development of an infectious disease.
Pathology may not manifest itself for a long time, and a woman does not suspect the presence of streptococci until they declare themselves with vivid symptoms:
- burning and soreness during urination;
- body temperature rises;
- general weakness appears;
- during a gynecological examination, the uterus is painful, it increases in size due to the formation of a purulent tumor in its cavity;
- yellowish discharge appears, sometimes with an admixture of blood;
- a woman feels pulling pains in her lower back and lower abdomen;
- menstrual cycle is disturbed.
If a woman sees a doctor in a timely manner, then green streptococcus in gynecology is quite easily treated without any consequences for the body.
What not to do if you have a streptococcal infection in the body
To make the therapy more effective and avoid complications, some recommendations will have to be followed during the illness:
- do not refuse to take antibacterial drugs after contact with a sick person, especially if you have diabetes, immunodeficiency or age over 65;
- you need to carefully take care of oral and body hygiene;
- do not get cold;
- do not eat cold food anddrinks;
- preferably bed rest;
- you can’t rely on the help of only folk remedies, the symptoms may be removed, but you won’t be able to completely cope with the infection;
- it is desirable to get rid of bad habits;
- do not eat spicy and irritating foods during illness;
- do not go to the bath or sauna;
- urgently call a doctor when the first symptoms of the disease appear.
Compliance with these simple rules will help you recover faster and avoid complications.
Prevention of strep throat infection
Infection can be prevented if:
- to engage in adequate therapy for colds, for this it is worth visiting a doctor, and not self-medicating;
- runny nose and other infections in the nose should be treated promptly;
- for prevention, twice a year, you need to take immunomodulators on the recommendation of a doctor;
- if you are prone to colds, then you should dress warmer in cool weather to prevent hypothermia;
- lead a he althy lifestyle;
- do sports;
- carry out hardening procedures.
Streptococci almost always live in our body and do no harm, so it is worth making every effort not to let bacteria take over and lead to the development of an infectious disease.
