Streptococcal infection . A very common problem among children attending kindergartens, schools, sports centers, etc. It is a bacterium that can belong to different strains, nest in various areas of the body and cause different symptoms depending on the case. Let’s see how to intervene in children
Under the name streptococcus there are actually about 20 species of different bacteria that are more or less annoying and dangerous for children. However, the most frequent are undoubtedly group A and group B hemolytic beta streptococcus .It is not always easy to identify the presence of streptococcus as often the symptoms that appear are similar to those caused by the presence of a virus or due to other reasons inside the body. Group A hemolytic Beta streptococcus can cause, for example, sore throat, plaques , skin infections, tonsils and swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever but also let off steam in real pathologies more easily attributable to the presence of this microorganism such as scarlet fever .
Sometimes, for example, a symptom of the presence of streptococcus is a slight fever that does not go away (37-37.5 °) associated with sore throat , which can easily be mistaken for seasonal flu.
The children most affected by streptococcus are those ranging from 3 to 10 years (in most cases it occurs with a pharyngitis), first it is rarer to find it as well as even after 14 years, perhaps because at that point the immune system they are organized to deal with the bacterium and nip it before it can proliferate.
The most frequent symptoms that causes a streptococcal infection are therefore:
• Pharyngitis
• Plates in the throat
• High but also low and persistent fever
• Headache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Tonsillitis
Skin infections
STREPTOCOCCO HOW TO INTERVENE IN CHILDREN
It is essential to identify the presence of streptococcus with the help of your pediatrician who, once the symptoms have been assessed, will offer you to carry out an oropharyngeal swab capable of assessing whether or not there is the offending bacterium. The test is available in some pediatric studies or in the classic analysis laboratories (in this case, however, the answer is to wait for one or two days).
At that point, having ascertained its colonization within the body, the simplest and most used solution is to prescribe a specific antibiotic to treat the problem.
In the case of streptococcal infection it is very important to follow the antibiotic therapy prescribed by the pediatrician for as long as necessary (which can vary from case to case but which is usually 10 days) by not stopping it earlier than expected even if the symptoms have improved. This is very important to ensure that the problem of antibiotic resistance by bacteria does not spread, but also to be sure to avoid relapses. Usually from the beginning of the therapy it takes a couple of days to see the symptoms disappear and at that point, covered by antibiotic therapy, you can also get the child back to school as it is no longer contagious (provided of course that he feels well and is resumed).
It is very important to associate during antibiotic therapy or immediately after taking lactic or probiotic enzymes capable of restoring the intestinal bacterial flora compromised by the prolonged use of medicines which unfortunately kill not only bad but also good bacteria. Mineral salt and vitamin supplements are also often recommended to get the child back in shape faster.
Also on the advice of the pediatrician, natural remedies useful to support the immune defenses could be associated with the therapy such as, for example, the glycerine macerate of Ribes nigrum or Rosa canina . However, it is difficult to treat streptococcus itself, especially when it comes to children, with only natural remedies.
Unfortunately, streptococcal infection leaves no permanent immunity and therefore can be contracted multiple times . In this sense, natural strategies can be put in place to strengthen the immune defenses of the little ones .
n summary of Streptococcus you must know that :
• Several strains exist
• May cause several symptoms to appear (sometimes difficult to associate with the presence of the bacterium)
• In most cases it causes pharyngitis
• It can cause scarlet fever or other serious diseases
• It is more frequent in children aged 3 to 10 years
• It contracts easily in kindergartens, schools and crowded places
• It is diagnosed with an oropharyngeal swab
• It is treated with antibiotic therapy
• It can be taken multiple times in life
• It can be prevented by strengthening the immune system with natural remedies
