Bacterial Infections in Children
Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms. Only some bacteria cause disease in people. Other bacteria live inside the intestinal tract, genitourinary tract, or on the skin without causing harm. Some bacteria are even thought to help keep people healthy.
Children’s skin infections (including impetigo), ear infections, and throat infections are the most prevalent bacterial infections (strep throat). These, as well as numerous other less frequent bacterial illnesses, are treated the same way in both adults and children and are covered elsewhere. Other infections can affect people of any age, but children require special care. Early childhood regular immunization can protect against several serious bacterial illnesses. Children’s skin infections (including impetigo), ear infections, and throat infections are the most prevalent bacterial infections (strep throat). These, as well as numerous other less frequent bacterial illnesses, are treated the same way in both adults and children and are covered elsewhere. Other infections can affect people of any age, but children require special care. Early childhood regular immunization can protect against several serious bacterial illnesses.
Risk of bacterial infections in children
Certain children are at particular risk of bacterial infections.
High-risk children include
- Infants younger than 3 months
- Children who have no spleen
- Children who have an immune system disorder
- Children who have sickle cell disease
- Children who have cancer
- Children who have not had recommended vaccinations.
Diagnosis of Bacterial Infections in Children
- Tests of blood, body fluids, or tissue samples
- Culture
By using the common symptoms that bacteria cause, clinicians can sometimes identify bacterial infections. However, it is typically necessary to identify bacteria in samples of tissue, blood, or bodily fluids, such as pus, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. In certain cases, the bacteria in these samples can be seen under a microscope or identified using fast tests, like those that look for specific bacteria’s genetic material. Doctors must attempt to develop (culture) them in the laboratory since, typically, there aren’t enough of them or they’re too few to observe. The bacteria must be cultured for 24 to 48 hours on average.
Additionally, cultures can be used to assess a specific bacteria’s resistance to different drugs. A doctor can use the findings to choose the best medication to treat an infected youngster.
Prevention of Bacterial Infections in Children
- Antibiotics
- Sometimes also surgery
Drugs called antibacterial are used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics come in a wide range of varieties. Each of them works best against a certain type of bacteria, however, some are more successful than others. Typically, using only antibiotics to treat bacterial infections is sufficient. However, surgery may also be required to drain the pus in cases where an infection has produced a significant amount of pus. Abscesses and joint infections are examples of such infections.
Doctors may treat certain potentially serious childhood infections with antibiotics before they have the culture results. When results are obtained, the antibiotics are continued or changed as needed. If no bacteria are found, antibiotics may be stopped.
