Infection Streptococcus is a disease caused by bacteria Streptococcus.Bacteria Streptococcus There are two types that most often attack humans, namely type A and type B. This bacterial infection can be experienced by everyone, from infants, children, to adults.
Bacteria Streptococcus generally live and grow in the human body without causing serious disease. However, some types of bacteria Streptococcus can cause infections, ranging from mild symptoms to those that can be life threatening.
The following are some types of bacteria Streptococcus and each description of the infection:
- Bacteria Sstreptococcus type ASstreptococcus Type A generally causes infections in the throat and skin. Some conditions that can be caused by this bacterium are Scarlet fever, sore throat, rheumatic fever, impetigo, and glomerulonephritis.
- Bacteria Sstreptococcus type BThese bacteria most commonly cause sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in infants. In adults, Streptococcus Type B causes urinary tract infections, skin infections, soft tissue infections (cellulitis), sepsis, bone and joint infections, and pneumonia.
Causes and Transmission of Infection Streptococcus
Risk factors and modes of transmission of bacteria Streptococcus A and B different. Here is the explanation:
Streptococcus type A
Bacteria Streptococcus type A can live on the skin and throat of humans without causing infection. However, transmission can still occur if:
- Having direct contact, for example by touching or kissing, with people who are infected or carry bacteria Streptococcus type A
- Touching a contaminated surface
- Inhaling splashes of saliva from people who are infected or carry bacteria Streptococcus type A
- Eating contaminated food
- Using contaminated cutlery
Several risk factors can increase a person's risk of getting a bacterial infection Streptococcus type A is:
- Have a chronic disease or condition that impairs the immune system, such as cancer, diabetes, and kidney failure
- Using corticosteroid drugs
- Have a cut or open wound on the skin, such as a cut, abrasion, or wound from a medical procedure
The severity of the condition experienced depends on the character of the bacteria and the reaction of the patient's body. For example, some types of bacteria Streptococcus type A can produce a unique toxin or protein. These toxins and proteins play a role in the process of disease in humans.
Streptococcus type B
Bacteria Streptococcus type B are bacteria that are actually harmless to adults. These bacteria live in the intestines, vagina, and rectal area. However, just like bacteria Streptococcus type A, bacteria Streptococcus Type B can also cause infection.
These bacteria can stay temporarily or for a long time in the body of adults. The pattern of distribution is not known. However, these bacteria are not spread through food, water, or sexual intercourse.
In adults, the risk of developing bacterial infections Streptococcus type B is higher if any of the following factors are present:
- Over 65 years old
- Suffering from conditions that impair the immune system, such as cancer, diabetes, or HIV
- Suffering from obesity, liver disease, and heart or blood vessel disorders
Bacteria Streptococcus Type B can also cause problems in newborns. These bacteria are passed from the vagina to the baby during normal delivery. Several factors can increase the risk of bacterial infection Streptococcus Type B in infants includes:
- Premature birth
- The amniotic fluid has ruptured 18 hours or more before birth
- Infected placenta or amniotic fluid
- Mother is declared to have this bacteria in the body at the end of pregnancy
- Mother once gave birth to a child who was also infected
- Mother has fever during labor
Symptoms of Infection Streptococcus
Each type Streptococcus can cause different diseases and each disease has its own symptoms. The explanation is as follows:
Streptococcus type A
Bacterial infection Streptococcus Type A can be experienced by all age groups. The following are complaints that arise based on diseases caused by bacteria: Streptococcus type A:
Sore throat:
- Fever
- Difficulty swallowing or dysphagia
- Red spots on throat with white or gray discharge
- Loss of appetite
- Nauseous
- Weak
- Swollen lymph nodes
Scarlet Fever:
- Red lines that appear around the armpits, elbows, and knees
- Swollen and bumpy tongue
- There are red, white, or yellow patches in the throat
- Fever
- Swollen tonsils
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Pale skin around lips
- Red face
Rheumatic fever:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Joint redness, swelling, or feeling hot
- A jerking movement in the hands, feet, or head that occurs involuntarily
- Small bumps and rashes on the skin
- Chest pain
- Abnormal heart murmur
Impetigo:
- Sores such as blisters on the body, generally in the face area, which quickly enlarge and burst
- Moist, wet areas from blister fragments
- The crust is golden brown due to the drying liquid
Glomerulonephritis:
- High blood pressure
- Urine is red and foamy
- Swelling of the face, legs and abdomen
Streptococcus type B
Bacterial infection Streptococcus Type B can occur in both adults and infants. In adults, bacteria Streptococcus Type B can cause the following conditions:
- Skin and soft tissue infections, characterized by red areas that feel hot and painful
- Lung infection (pneumonia), which is characterized by shortness of breath and coughing
- Urinary tract infection, which is characterized by pain when urinating, difficulty holding urine, and cloudy urine
- Meningitis or inflammation of the lining of the brain, which is characterized by fever, headache, and stiffness in the neck
- Sepsis, which is characterized by fever, chills, rapid breathing, and loss of consciousness
While the symptoms that appear in infants are divided based on the time of appearance. Early symptoms or those that appear within 24 hours after the baby is born include:
- Difficult to breastfeed
- Babies tend to sleep constantly and are difficult to wake up
- Snoring breath
- Very slow or very fast breathing
- Very slow or very fast heart rate
Meanwhile, late symptoms or those that appear 1 week or 3 months after birth, include:
- Fever
- Difficult to breastfeed
- Shortness of breath or snoring
- Often sleepy
- Body feels weak or stiff
- Fussy
- Throw up
- Diarrhea
- Bluish skin (cyanosis)
- Seizures
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you or your child experience any of the complaints mentioned above. The sooner the infection is found and treated, the better the chances of recovery and avoiding complications.
If you are pregnant, you should consult your doctor about the need for a bacterial infection test Streptococcus type B, especially if you have a urinary tract infection or your child has had a previous bacterial infection Streptococcus type B.
Infection Diagnosis Streptococcus
In diagnosing infection StreptococcusThe first step taken by the doctor is to ask the patient about the symptoms that arise and the patient's medical history. After that, a physical examination will be carried out to see the symptoms that appear directly
Bacteria detection Streptococcus This can be done by examining the swab on the part of the body that is infected, for example taking a sample from the throat in conditions of strep throat. In addition, urine, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid can also be used as samples.
In pregnant women, a swab examination is carried out in the vaginal or rectal area at 35 to 37 weeks of gestation. The results of the swab examination will be out in a few days. However, if rapid results are required, a rapid antigen test can be performed.
If necessary, further examination will also be carried out according to the condition of each patient. For example, to detect soft tissue damage due to infection, examination can be done using X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
Infection Treatment Streptococcus
To treat infection Streptococcus, the doctor will give antibiotics to the patient. Antibiotics can relieve symptoms while preventing transmission to others. The type and dose of antibiotics given can vary, depending on the patient's condition.
The following are the actions taken by doctors for each type of infection Streptococcus:
Infection Streptococcus type A
To treat infection Streptococcus type A, the doctor will prescribe a penicillin class of antibiotics, such as:
- Penicillin
- Amoxicillin
- Cephalosporins
The drug can be taken orally. However, if the infection is severe, the drug will be given through an IV.
In patients who have an allergy to penicillin drugs, the doctor will give antibiotics erythromycin or azithromycin as a replacement. The amount of the dose given will also be adjusted to the patient's condition.
In certain conditions, surgical procedures need to be performed to remove body tissue that has died due to infection. The goal is to prevent the spread of bacteria in the body.
Infection Streptococcus type B
To treat infection Streptococcus type B, antibiotics that doctors can give are penicillin and ampicillin. However, in patients who have a history of allergy to penicillin, doctors can give antibiotics cefazolin, clindamycin, or vancomycin.
Pregnant women suspected of being infected Streptococcus Type B antibiotics will be given during labor, especially if:
- Visible signs of premature labor
- Amniotic fluid has been ruptured for 18 hours or more
- Mother has a fever during childbirth.
Giving antibiotics to the mother during labor can reduce the potential for early symptoms of infection Streptococcus type B in infants, but does not prevent the onset of late-onset symptoms.
Same as infection treatment Streptococcus type A, some conditions due to infection Streptococcus Type B may also need to be treated with a surgical procedure. Surgery aims to remove infected soft tissue, skin, or bone.
Infection Complications Streptococcus
Complications that can occur in infection Streptococcus depending on the type of infection suffered. On infection Streptococcus type A, these complications include:
- Tonsil removal
- Heart damage
- Formation of an abscess (collection of pus) in the infected area
- Seizures
- Brain damage in children
For infection Streptococcus type B, complications that may arise depending on the patient's age and health condition. In severe infections, babies can develop sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis which are at risk of death.
In some babies, long-term complications can occur, such as:
- Deaf
- Blind
- Developmental disorders
Meanwhile, complications that can arise in pregnant women are:
- Uterine and placental infections
- Premature birth
- Fetal death in the womb
- Miscarriage
Infection Prevention Streptococcus
infection prevention StreptococcusStreptococcus Type A can be done by avoiding the risk of transmission, such as:
- Washing hands after activity
- Do not share eating utensils, such as spoons, plates, or glasses
- Use a mask, especially when you are sick or around people who are sick
- Cleaning items that may be contaminated
To prevent infection Streptococcus Type B in newborns, pregnant women are recommended to carry out routine checks, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy, so that treatment can be carried out immediately if signs of infection are detected.