Acute bacterial infections


Acute bacterial infections in children cause sudden illness in children due to the attack of infectious bacteria. A child can get affected by bacteria in various parts of their body. The most commonly affected areas are the ears, throat, lungs, urinary tract, and blood. When a child is affected by a bacteria infection, they become irritable, suffer from fever, cough, and vomiting. The bacterial infection can be controlled by early diagnosis, supportive care and antibiotic treatment. Young children and infants are more affected by bacteria since their immune system is still in a developing stage.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for acute bacterial infections , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

What are the various bacterial infections affecting children?


Bacterial infections can affect various organs in a child below. Are the most common bacterial infections based on the organ affected:-

Respiratory Tract Infections

  • Pneumonia
  • Strep throat or medically known as pharyngitis
  • Sinusitis
  • Otitis media infection of the middle year, which is most common in infants.

Gastrointestinal Infections

  • Salmonella, and E. coli cause Bacterial gastroenteritis
  • Typhoid fever is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi

Urinary Tract Infections

  • UTI is most commonly caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli
  • Urinary tract infections, mostly affect a girl child, and also uncircumcised boys

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

  • Cellulitis
  • Abscesses and boils

Central Nervous System Infections

  • Neisseria meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae type b (Hib) cause Bacterial meningitis

Blood Infections – Sepsis

  • Sepsis is caused by different types of bacteria, such as S. aureus, E. coli, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in neonates

Neonatal Infections

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS)
  • Listeria monocytogenes
  • E. coli bacteria is the most common cause of sepsis and meningitis in just born babies.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for acute bacterial infections , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

What are the symptoms of bacterial infection in children?


Since bacterial infections can affect various organs of the body, the symptoms also vary accordingly. The diagnosis and the treatment methodology depend on the type of bacterial infection and the organ that has been affected.

Symptoms, common to all types of bacterial infections:-

  • High fever- bacterial infections, cause fever is higher than viral infections.
  • The child is unusually tired and complaints of fatigue
  • Infants and toddlers are fussy more than usual
  • Refusal to eat due to loss of appetite
  • The skin appears pale or flushed
  • Feeling too hot or too cold, resulting in sweat or chill .

Symptoms based on the type of infection:


1. Ear Infection -Otitis Media
  • Ear pain and the child will be tugging the ear
  • Temporary issue with hearing
  • Fluid oozes from the ear
  • Constant complaint of pain, which will be more while sleeping or resting

2. Throat Infection -Strep Throat
  • Sore throat, accompanied by pain
  • Difficulty in swallowing due to throat pain
  • Swollen chances, which would appear rec in colour or sometimes as white patches
  • Lymph nodes in the neck might swell

3. Lung Infection – Pneumonia
  • Wet and dry, cough
  • Rapid and forced breathing
  • Complaint of chest pain
  • In severe cases of pneumonia, the lips and fingernails turn bluish in colour

4. Urinary Tract Infection
  • The child complaints of pain and burning sensation while urinating
  • More than usual urination
  • Bedwetting restarts as soon as the infection affects the child
  • Pain in the abdomen or back

5. Skin Infection
  • The infected area becomes red swollen, and warm
  • Pus or drainage
  • Pain or tenderness at the site

6. Meningitis
  • The neck becomes stiff
  • The child will be sensitive to light
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion and seizures
  • Swollen soft spot on the babies’s head

When to Seek Medical Attention?


Bacterial infection infections are serious as compared to viral infections. So under the following conditions, please take the child immediately to a healthcare provider:-
  • Uncontrolled high fever
  • Unable to wake up and shows signs of more than usual lethargy
  • Unable to breathe or gasping, for breath
  • The child is dehydrating,
  • Uncontrollable localised pain at the affected organ
  • If the child is below six months of age and has any degree of fever.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for acute bacterial infections , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

How are acute bacterial infections diagnosed?


Acute bacterial infections are diagnosed by physical examination , blood tests and rarely imaging tests are performed. Diagnostic steps are as follows:-

Clinical Evaluation

The doctor will:
  • Take a medical history that includes the onset, duration, and the symptoms
  • Perform a physical exam and check for redness, warmth, swelling, or localized pain that suggests infection.

Laboratory Tests


Blood Tests
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) measures the white blood cells. If the levels of WBC are high it means there is a bacterial infection.
  • C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate are markers to detect inflammation which is high when there is an infection.
  • Procalcitonin is very specific which rises only for bacterial infection and not in viral infections.

Microbiological Cultures
  • Blood cultures detect the bacteria in the bloodstream
  • Urine culture if the child has urinary tract infections.
  • Sputum culture detects respiratory infections like pneumonia.
  • Wound or pus culture for the skin or soft tissue infections.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture can detect meningitis.

Cultures are the most important tests to identify the specific bacteria.

Imaging tests

Used to localize infection or assess severity:
  • X-rays are taken in the case of pneumonia or bone infections.
  • Ultrasound is conducted when the child has soft tissue infections.
  • CT/MRI can diagnose deep infections like intra-abdominal abscesses, spinal infections.

Rapid Diagnostic Tests

  • Antigen detection or PCR tests are done to quickly identify a specific type of bacteria.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for acute bacterial infections , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

What treatments are given for acute bacterial infections?


Treatments for acute bacterial infections depend on the type, location, and severity of the infection. The existing condition of the child is also taken into consideration to determine if at home care is sufficient or hospitalisation is required. The various treatments are as follows:

Antibiotics


Antibiotics are the most preferred treatments for acute bacterial infections.

a. Empiric Antibiotics
  • They are started even before the culture results are known
  • Chosen based on empirical data such as the common pathogens and symptoms.
  • Commonly used in cases of for:
    • Pneumonia
    • Urinary tract infections
    • Skin infections
    • Sepsis

b. Targeted Antibiotics:
  • These antibiotics are started after culture and sensitivity results,
  • The antibiotics are based on the exact bacteria identified in the culture results.
  • Most common targeted antibiotics are:-
    • Pencilin
    • Cephalexin
    • Azithromycin
    • Ciprofloxacin
    • Doxycycline

Supportive Treatments

Apart from the antibiotics the following supportive care is mandatory:
  • Fluids and electrolytes should be given to compensate for the loss of fluids and electrolytes
  • Fever and pain relief medicine.
  • Pus drainage is done for abscesses or infected wounds

Hospitalization

In hospital treatment is suggested for the following cases:
  • Severe infections like sepsis, meningitis.
  • If the child is immunosuppressed
  • If IV antibiotics are needed
  • If the child is not responding to the at home supportive care.

Monitoring and Follow-Up

  • The culture tests might be repeated till the infection is finally gone.
  • Monitor the child’s response to antibiotics in terms of their effectiveness in reducing the symptoms.
  • The doctor might adjust the treatment based on the child’s response.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for acute bacterial infections , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

About Isha Specialty Clinics, Hyderabad


Isha Specialty Clinic is the best Hospital in Manikonda for your heart care and child care. For all your pediatric and newborn care we are a one stop solution. Our expert team of doctors and state of the art labs offer you comprehensive pediatric services. When you visit us you will experience the best paediatric care, children nutrition advice and best cardiologist treatment in Hyderabad. Isha Specialty clinics is located at convenient location in Hyderabad Manikonda in the nearby Gachibowli, Banjara Hills and Toli Chowki, Mehdipatnam, Narsingi, Alkapur township.

Our expert team of doctors


Dr. Swathy Talishetty – MBBS (Osmania), MD (Niloufer) – Child and Newborn Specialist (Paediatric Doctor)


Dr. Swathy Talishetty is a top rated child care specialist. Dr.Swathy is an alumnus of Osmania Medical College where she completed her MBBS in 2007 and later on pursued her MD in Pediatrics from Niloufer Hospital in 2012. Dr Talishetty Swathi has specialized in:-
  • Newborn and infant care
  • Immunization
  • Growth and development monitoring
  • Preterm baby management
  • Childhood overweight management.

Dr. Swathy Talishetty’s compassionate approach, combined with her in-depth knowledge of pediatric nutrition, enables her to offer comprehensive care that addresses both medical and nutritional needs of children, ensuring their healthy growth and development. Get children treatment and pediatric nutrition consultation with Dr. Swathy Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, nearby Gachibowli and Narsingi areas in Hyderabad.

Dr. Nithin Annarapu – MBBS, MD – General Medicine, DM – Cardiology


Dr. Nithin Annarapu has more than a decade of heart care experience. 18 Years Experience Overall (12 years as heart specialist). Dr. Nithin Annarapu Annarapu is an Interventional Cardiologist in Manikonda Hyderabad and has an experience of 18 years in heart treatment, surgeries and cardiac procedures. He has saved many lives with his excellent treatments for palpitations which are heart related. Dr. Nithin Annarapu is practicing at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, near Gachibowli in Hyderabad. He completed MBBS from Siddhartha Medical College & Research in 2002, MD – General Medicine from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad in 2006 and DM – Cardiology from Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad in 2010.

Major Treatments at Isha Speciality Clinics


Pediatric Care

  • Newborn and infant care
  • Immunization
  • Growth and development monitoring
  • Preterm baby management
  • Childhood overweight management.

Heart treatment

  • Mitral valve replacement surgery
  • Heart valve replacement and repair
  • Coronary Angioplasty
  • Coronary Angiogram
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Angioplasty

Pain treatment

  • Thoracic epidural injections
  • Cervical epidural injections
  • Intraarticular joint injections
  • Nerve Block
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy
  • Lumbar Epidural Injections

For expert pediatric care and treatment for acute bacterial infections , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

For emergency care or appointments, contact Dr. Swathi Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinic, Manikonda – Hyderabad at 96760 7020. Book an appointment today for expert pediatric care.

Search

+