Mycoplasma pneumonia is an infectious disease of the lungs that has spread especially actively recently. But what are the symptoms, complications and how to treat this type of pneumonia?
Publika.az introduces the readers to the signs and characteristics of the disease that is spreading around the world.
The epidemic of mycoplasma pneumonia began in China in mid-November, then spread to Germany, France, Italy and has already reached Russia. The epidemic is expected to last until the spring of 2024. The main group affected by this epidemic are children and adolescents.
What is a mycoplasma infection: bacteria or virus?
Mycoplasma infection is an infectious disease caused by microorganisms called mycoplasma. Mycoplasmas are prokaryotes that belong to the bacterial class but lack a cell wall. These microorganisms have the ability to infect various human organs and tissues, causing a wide range of diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, pharyngitis and urethritis.
According to Alexey Zhito, candidate of medical sciences, mycoplasma pneumonia occupies a kind of middle position between bacterial and viral pneumonia.
“Mycoplasma is a bacterium, but not an ordinary bacterium, but an intracellular parasite. It lives only inside the cells of the body, and accordingly, all antibiotics cannot affect it. And that creates a big problem. Incorrect prescribing of antibiotics aimed at the cell wall, which does not contain mycoplasma, can make the situation even more critical.
The latest situation regarding the disease in Russia and the world
Although the cases of mycoplasma pneumonia are increasing both in Russia and around the world, experts say that there is no special concern about the epidemic of this disease. This has happened before, and doctors know how to deal with respiratory diseases caused by mycoplasma. A new wave of this infection appears every three to five to eight years.
What are the symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia?
The incubation period of mycoplasma pneumonia can last from 1 to 4 weeks, usually 12-14 days. The onset of the disease is usually gradual, but it can also be moderately severe or acute. Symptoms in adults and children are not very different and are mostly similar to those of acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI).
“Mycoplasma is dangerous in terms of serious pneumonia and death in addition to various complications, sepsis. It really masquerades as KRVI, even in its mild form it can go unnoticed. That is, for example, if one of your colleagues suffers from mycoplasma pneumonia, the disease may be observed only by coughing and weakness, while another person may get pneumonia and die. This situation is quite possible”, said Alexey Zhito, candidate of medical sciences.
Mycoplasma pneumonia in children
The disease can usually occur without symptoms. If only the upper respiratory tract is affected in children with mycoplasma pneumonia, typical symptoms of CRVI usually appear:
Sore throat and weakness;
Runny nose;
Temperature rise to 37-38 degrees;
General weakness and muscle pain;
Dry cough;
Possible problems in the stomach and intestines (nausea, abdominal pain, stool disorders).
There are no specific symptoms of this disease. A characteristic symptom is a cough lasting 10-15 days. Symptoms may increase in intensity within 2-7 days and then decrease. At the same time, the patient remains contagious, so he should undergo full treatment and only after recovery should he restore the previous social relations.
According to pediatrician Oksana Murzina, mycoplasma pneumonia usually begins with high fever and paroxysmal obsessive cough, if the cough is not treated with special antibiotics, expectorants and bronchodilators, it can torment the patient for a long time.
“In no case should you self-medicate, it is important to consult a doctor and undergo tests for mycoplasma. This pneumonia does not go away by itself, it cannot be treated with syrup and herbs!”, the pediatrician emphasized.
Mycoplasma pneumonia in adults
Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia in adults include upper respiratory tract infections such as pharyngitis and laryngitis. Nasal congestion, dry throat and hoarseness can be observed in patients. When the general condition worsens, body temperature rises and sweating occurs. Cough with mycoplasma pneumonia lasts for a long time, usually 10-15 days. It can be very severe and weak, a small amount of sputum is produced, and it can become chronic, in which case the cough lasts 4-6 weeks. Rarely, pneumonia can cause skin rashes, muscle pain, upset stomach, sleep disturbances, headaches, and numbness. In some cases, mycoplasma pneumonia causes fibrinosis or exudative pleurisy and exacerbation of obstructive syndrome in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia usually disappear on their own after 7-10 days, but when a second infection occurs, a mixed form of pneumonia may develop. Complications such as myelitis, encephalitis, meningitis and others are also possible.
How is mycoplasma pneumonia and COVID-19 related?
The current epidemic of the disease is the result of the lifting of quarantine. The reason is that measures taken to combat COVID-19 have not allowed seasonal infections to spread as often as they usually do. As a result, people’s immunity has weakened and, in a sense, they have forgotten how to fight against harmful microorganisms. In general, the concept of debt that we have to pay back to the immune system after life has returned to normal has been formed.
How dangerous is mycoplasma?
Despite the media headlines about this infection, doctors unanimously confirm that mycoplasma infection belongs to the category of mild respiratory diseases. If the body is in a healthy state and there are no serious concomitant diseases, when infected with mycoplasma pneumonia, the body can eliminate it by itself, like a normal runny nose. But if the body weakens, complications in the form of severe pneumonia may develop. Mycoplasma can also damage the kidneys and brain. Of course, this infection should not be neglected, so do not delay to consult a doctor.
Is pneumonia developing?
The name of the pathogen Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be misleading because it usually causes only upper respiratory tract infection, which most often manifests as tracheobronchitis. The development of pneumonia is a more serious condition and is less common. As mentioned earlier, mycoplasma infection presents with the same symptoms as other acute respiratory diseases, including respiratory tract damage, sore throat, cough, and fever. However, all these symptoms are not as acute and obvious as in cases of classic pneumonia.
Is it possible to get sick again?
Children get sick more often because their immune system is not yet fully formed. Throughout our life, we can be infected with mycoplasma several times without realizing it. This means that there is no guarantee that we will not get sick from the infection again.
How to treat mycoplasma pneumonia?
Mycoplasma infections usually respond well to treatment. For this purpose, antibiotics with positive results are used in most cases. However, given the massive use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is possible that mycoplasma has developed resistance to some of them.
By the way, according to some experts, the widespread and severe spread of mycoplasma pneumonia in China may be caused by the uncontrolled use of antibiotics, which has led to the formation of resistance in mycoplasma strains. Fortunately, mycobacteria can be treated with several types of antibiotics. If one does not work, you can choose another drug.
Prevention of mycoplasma infection
To prevent mycoplasma respiratory tract infection, it is necessary to follow the rules used during influenza and KRVI epidemics.
