What is Kingella Kingae Infection

Kingella Kingae Infection is infection in the joints, bones, and heart. Kingella kingae, or K. kingae, are bacteria that are normally found in the back of children’s throats. Most of the time, these bacteria do not cause illness.

However, the bacteria can cause an infection if they get into the blood or bones. When this happens, it can lead to infection in the joints, bones, and heart.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by bacteria in a child’s throat. It is not known what triggers a K. kingae infection in other parts of the body.

What increases the risk?

Your child is more likely to develop a K. kingae infection if he or she:

• Is 6 months to 4 years old.
• Attends day care.
• Is older than 4 years and has other health problems, such as heart, kidney, or body defense (immune system) conditions.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Fever.
• Sore throat, cough, runny nose, or other symptoms of an upper respiratory infection.
• Diarrhea.
• Sores in the mouth.
• Joint pain and swelling, most often felt in the knee or ankle.
• Bone pain.
• Limping.
• Chest pain.
• Difficulty breathing.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your child’s symptoms.
• Your child’s medical history.
• A physical exam.

Your child may have other tests, including:

• Fluid sample tests.
• Blood tests.
• MRI.
• A test that uses sound waves to take pictures of the heart (echocardiogram).
• A lab test that analyzes your child’s DNA to identify K. kingae bacteria. This test is called polymerase chain reaction, or PCR test.

How is this treated?

Treatment for a K. kingae infection varies, depending on how bad the infection is. Your child may need to stay in a hospital for care and to prevent complications. Treatment may also include antibiotics, given by mouth or through an IV.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• If your child was prescribed an antibiotic, give it as told by your child’s health care provider. Do not stop giving the antibiotic even if your child starts to feel better.
• Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye’s syndrome.
• Do not use products that contain benzocaine (including numbing gels) to treat mouth pain in children who are younger than 2 years. These products may cause a rare but serious blood condition.

General instructions

• Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine pale yellow.
• Have your child rest at home. Do not let your child go back to normal activities until his or her health care provider approves.
• Make sure that your child covers his or her mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands, and your child’s, with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if your child:

• Has a fever.
• Has signs of an upper respiratory infection, such as a cough or sore throat.

Get help right away if your child:

• Has bone or joint pain that gets worse.
• Has chest pain or trouble breathing.
• Is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

Summary

• Kingella kingae are bacteria that are normally found in the back of children’s throats.
• These bacteria normally do not cause illness, but they can cause an infection if they get into the blood or bones.
• At first, symptoms often appear to be those of an upper respiratory tract infection. Symptoms may progress to include mouth sores, diarrhea, joint pain and swelling, and bone pain.
• Treatment for a K. kingae infection will depend on how bad the infection is. It may include antibiotics.
• Follow the health care provider’s instructions about medicines (including antibiotics), rest, drinking fluids, and calling for help.