Nursing front in the fight against streptococcal infection in children and adolescents

Streptococcal infection is characterized by a variety of manifestations, from asymptomatic carriage of the pathogen to manifest and life-threatening forms. In contrast to the wide list of diseases caused by streptococci registered in ICD-10, in our country a direct indication of streptococcal etiology is usually applied only to scarlet fever, tonsillitis, streptoderma, rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease (valvular disease). In all other cases, in the absence of verification of the pathogen, they try not to include the streptococcal nature of the disease in the diagnosis. This applies to pharyngitis, pneumonia, infectious dermatitis, etc. Recently, in addition to the bacteriological method, a rapid test for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) is often used to confirm streptococcal etiology. The diagnostic capabilities of this technique are low, and therefore a comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination is recommended to diagnose streptococcal infection. Carriers of streptococcus do not require antibacterial therapy. Another thing is for patients with tonsillitis, scarlet fever, suspicion of the development of rheumatic fever, acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. The author discusses and critically comprehends the complex problems of streptococcal infection in children and adolescents from the perspective of outpatient nursing practice.