• Mycoplasma pneumonia (Adult)
• Mycoplasma pneumonia (Child)
• Asthma
• Nephritis
• Neurological disorders
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Mycoplasma pneumonia (Child)

Mycoplasma pneumonia (Child)

    Mycoplasma pneumoniae is spread through respiratory droplet transmission. Once attached to the mucosa of a host organism, M. pneumoniae extracts nutrients, grows and reproduces by binary fission. Attachment sites include the upper and lower respiratory tract, causing pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. The infection caused by this bacterium is called atypical pneumonia because of its protracted course and lack of sputum production and wealth of extra-pulmonary symptoms. Chronic mycoplasma infections have been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatological diseases.

    Mycoplasma atypical pneumonia can be complicated by Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hemolytic anemia, encephalitis or Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Symptoms

    The symptoms are generally mild and appear over a period of 1 to 3 weeks. They may become more severe in some people.

Common symptoms include the following:

・Cough, usually dry and not bloody

・Sore throat

・Fever

・Excessive sweating

・Chills

・Headache

・Chest pain

Less common symptoms include:

・Muscle aches and joint stiffness

・Rapid breathing

・Skin lesions or rash

・Ear pain

・Eye pain or soreness

・Neck lump

Diagnosis

    Persons with suspected pneumonia should have a complete medical evaluation, including a thorough physical exam and a chest x-ray -- especially because the physical exam may not always be able to tell pneumonia apart from acute bronchitis or other respiratory infections.

    Depending on the severity of illness, other tests may be done, including: ・Complete blood count (CBC)

・Blood tests for antibodies to mycoplasma

・CT scan of the chest

・Sputum culture to check for mycoplasma bacteria

・A urine test or a throat swab may also be done

Treatment

    Antibiotics that work against Mycoplasma include macrolides, quinolones, and tetracyclines.

    Control fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or acetaminophen.

Prognosis

    Most people recover completely even without antibiotics, although antibiotics may speed recovery. In untreated adults, cough and weakness can persist for up to a month.

Possible Complications

    Ear infections, Hemolytic anemia, Severe pneumonia, Skin rashes

Prevention

    There is no known way to prevent atypical pneumonia. However, avoiding people who have the infection can help reduce your risk.

    Infants, and persons in poor health, especially those with weakened immune systems due to HIV, organ transplants, or other conditions should avoid contact with people who have mycoplasma pneumonia.