Mycoplasma pneumonia Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Mycoplasma pneumonia is one of the lung infections, caused by a bacterium referred to as *Mycoplasma pneumoniae*. Unlike most bacteria, *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* lacks a cell wall. As a result, it is resistant to some antibiotics, such as penicillin that functions by preventing the cell wall synthesis. It manifests in a very mild form of pneumonia and is usually termed as "walking pneumonia." This is because individuals infected do not necessarily go about their normal lives due to these infections.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia usually take some time to develop, and these may include:
Persistent cough, which might be dry or only slight in the amount of mucus produced
Mild fever and chills
Fatigue and weakness
Sore throat
Headache
Muscle pains
Chest pain especially on deep breathing or on coughing
In some cases, children may present as a common cold or acute respiratory infection, while the adult's symptoms are sometimes more severe.
Mode of Transmission
Mycoplasma pneumonia is highly infectious and transmitted through respiratory droplet, especially when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The chances of getting the infection increase with proximity to the infected patient, especially when undertaking crowded activities such as schooling, living in dormitories, and military barracks. The incubation period for mycoplasma pneumonia is about 1 to 4 weeks.
Diagnosis
Health care practitioners who suspect that a patient suffers from mycoplasma pneumonia undertake the following practices:
Physical examination: to listen to abnormal lung sounds.
- **Chest X-ray**: Although it may not necessarily depict infection signs, the chest X-ray may depict some mild inflammation.
- **Blood tests**: It detects antibodies to *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* but takes a few weeks to develop. Therefore, it is challenging to detect at an early stage.
- **PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests**: It detects the DNA of *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* in respiratory samples and produces quick results.
Treatment
Although the mycoplasma pneumonia is generally mild in nature, it can be surely treated with antibiotics-particularly in a person having a low immunity level or displaying extreme symptoms. Being a bacterium lacking a cell wall, *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* is sensitive to many antibiotics and can be well treated by macrolides such as azithromycin; fluoroquinolone; and tetracyclines, among many others.
Symptomatic relief treatment usually involves minimal measures in milder instances:
- Rest and rehydration.
- **Over the counter pain medications**: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to try and bring down fever while eliminating pain.
- Cough medications: If one can tolerate them, due to cough, though those need to be used just about sparingly.
### Prophylaxis
Preventing mycoplasma pneumonia, primarily includes good habits as:
- Hand-wash thoroughly with soap under running water
- Practice isolation from the patient, especially in crowded sites.
- Cover mouth when coughing and nose when sneezing
Clean frequently touched surfaces, especially in public areas
### Complications
Although mycoplasma pneumonia is usually mild, complications may develop, especially in certain vulnerable populations: children, older adults, and individuals who have other lung disease. Complications may include the following:
Severe pneumonia that requires hospitalization
Aggravation of asthma symptoms
Ear infections or sinus infections
In rare instances, neurological complications, including encephalitis
Mycoplasma pneumonia is generally a mild, contagious respiratory infection. However, in most cases, it can be self-managed, though medical attention is always advisable if symptoms are severe or do not improve after a week.
