Not an “ordinary” cold: Mycoplasma pneumonia

1. Introduction

Autumn and winter are here. Do you frequently have symptoms such as fever and cough, but think you just have a common cold? Be careful, this may be caused by Mycoplasma pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumonia, a globally prevalent respiratory disease, is quietly threatening our health. According to data from the World Health Organization, its incidence rate is increasing year by year, especially among children and adolescents. In the face of this potential health killer, it is necessary for us to have a deep understanding of the relevant pathological knowledge in order to carry out more effective prevention and medical intervention.

As the famous French microbiologist Pasteur said: "Science has no borders, but scholars have a motherland." In response to the global health challenge of mycoplasma pneumonia, everyone should actively learn relevant knowledge and contribute to protecting the health of themselves and their families. Understanding the pathogenesis, transmission routes, symptoms, diagnosis methods, treatment methods and prevention measures of mycoplasma pneumonia is the basis for our successful response to this disease.

2. What is Mycoplasma pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumonia, as the name suggests, is an inflammation of the lungs caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a unique microorganism between bacteria and viruses, usually between 0.2 and 0.3 microns in size, much smaller than bacteria but slightly larger than viruses. It is worth noting that Mycoplasma pneumoniae lacks a cell wall, a feature that gives it a unique position in biological classification.

Due to the lack of cell wall, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is insensitive to antibiotics that act on the cell wall, such as penicillins, cephalosporins, etc. This undoubtedly increases the complexity of treatment, but also provides an important reference for us in choosing appropriate drugs.

3. Transmission channels

Mycoplasma pneumonia is mainly transmitted through droplets and close contact.

Droplet transmission is the main route of transmission of Mycoplasma pneumonia. When a patient coughs, sneezes or talks, droplets containing Mycoplasma pneumoniae are produced. These droplets are suspended in the air and may cause infection if inhaled by healthy people. Droplets are usually transmitted within a close distance of 1-2 meters, so the risk of droplet transmission is higher in crowded places such as schools, kindergartens, offices, etc.

Close contact transmission is also a transmission route of Mycoplasma pneumonia that cannot be ignored. If healthy people share personal items such as tableware and towels with patients, or have close contact such as kissing and hugging, Mycoplasma pneumoniae may be transmitted through these means. In addition, after touching the surface of an object contaminated by the patient's secretions, if you then touch your own mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose, and eyes, it may also cause infection.

Symptoms

The initial symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia are very similar to those of the common cold. Patients may experience fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, etc. These symptoms are usually mild and are often ignored by patients, who think they are just common colds. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia will gradually worsen.

Severe coughing is one of the typical symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia. This cough is usually dry and occasionally accompanied by a small amount of white, sticky sputum. As the disease progresses, the cough may become more severe and even produce bloody, sticky sputum. Changes in the color and properties of the sputum can provide doctors with diagnostic clues.

In addition to respiratory symptoms, mycoplasma pneumonia may also cause extrapulmonary manifestations. Mycoplasma pneumonia infection may cause myocarditis, causing patients to experience symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness. Thrombocytopenia is also one of the extrapulmonary manifestations that may be caused by mycoplasma pneumonia. Patients may experience symptoms such as skin and mucosal bleeding spots and ecchymoses. Although these extrapulmonary manifestations are uncommon, once they occur, they often indicate that the condition is serious and requires timely medical treatment.

5. Diagnostic Methods

The diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia requires a comprehensive judgment based on multiple information such as clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and imaging examinations.

Clinical symptoms are of great significance in the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia. Doctors will make a preliminary judgment based on the patient's medical history and symptom characteristics, such as the nature and duration of fever and cough.

Routine blood test is one of the common methods for diagnosing mycoplasma pneumonia. In patients with mycoplasma pneumonia, the white blood cell count is usually normal or slightly elevated, and the lymphocyte ratio is relatively high. This feature helps doctors rule out other diseases such as bacterial infection.

Serological examination is one of the important methods for diagnosing mycoplasma pneumonia. By detecting IgM antibodies in the patient's serum, it can be determined whether the patient has been infected with mycoplasma pneumonia recently. IgM antibodies usually appear about a week after infection and last for a long time. Therefore, the detection of positive IgM antibodies can be used as an important basis for the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia.

PCR technology has also been widely used in the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia. By detecting the DNA of mycoplasma pneumonia in the patient's respiratory secretions, it can be determined whether the patient is infected with mycoplasma pneumonia. This method has high sensitivity and specificity and can quickly and accurately diagnose mycoplasma pneumonia.

6. Treatment Methods

The treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia requires the selection of appropriate drugs and treatment methods based on the patient's specific conditions.

Since Mycoplasma pneumoniae has no cell wall, it is not sensitive to antibiotics that act on the cell wall. Penicillins, cephalosporins and other drugs are not effective in treating Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Macrolide drugs are the first choice for the treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia. This class of drugs includes azithromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, etc. Azithromycin has the advantages of good oral absorption, long half-life, and few adverse reactions, and is widely used in the treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia. Clarithromycin and roxithromycin also have good therapeutic effects, but attention should be paid to the adverse reactions and contraindications of the drugs.

For patients with severe mycoplasma pneumonia, glucocorticoids can relieve symptoms and improve the condition. Glucocorticoids can inhibit inflammatory responses, reduce lung inflammation and edema, and thus improve patients' respiratory function. However, the use of glucocorticoids must be carried out under the guidance of a doctor, and the dosage and course of treatment must be strictly controlled to avoid adverse reactions.

While taking medication, you also need to adjust your diet. Patients should drink plenty of water, keep their diet light and easy to digest, and eat more foods rich in vitamins and proteins, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk, etc. Avoid eating spicy, greasy, and irritating foods to avoid aggravating the condition.

VII. Preventive measures

The key to preventing Mycoplasma pneumonia is to maintain good personal hygiene habits, avoid close contact and reduce crowds, strengthen physical exercise and improve immunity.

Maintaining good personal hygiene habits is the basis for preventing mycoplasma pneumonia. Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching surfaces in public places. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water. Avoid touching mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose, and eyes with your hands to reduce the chance of pathogens invading. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow to prevent droplet transmission.

Avoiding close contact and reducing crowds are also important measures to prevent mycoplasma pneumonia. During the high incidence season of mycoplasma pneumonia, try to avoid going to crowded places, such as shopping malls and cinemas. If you must go, you should wear a mask and maintain social distance. Avoid sharing personal items such as tableware and towels with patients to reduce the chance of close contact.

Strengthening physical exercise and improving immunity are effective means to prevent mycoplasma pneumonia. Appropriate physical exercise can enhance physical fitness and improve the body's ability to resist disease. Aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, and yoga are good choices. In addition, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and being in a good mood can also help improve immunity.

8. Conclusion

Although mycoplasma pneumonia is a common respiratory disease, it is controllable. By understanding the transmission route, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia, we can take effective measures to prevent and treat this disease.

As the famous American writer Emerson said, "Health is the first wealth of life." Maintaining good living habits, strengthening personal hygiene, and improving immunity are important guarantees for us to have a healthy body. When facing the threat of mycoplasma pneumonia, we must remain calm, actively learn relevant knowledge, do a good job in prevention and treatment, and protect the health of ourselves and our families.