Can adults also get Mycoplasma pneumonia? What should we pay attention to?

Recently, "Mycoplasma" has become a hot search again.

Too cruel! Mycoplasma pneumonia is "making trouble" everywhere

Forced parents to no longer "chicken" to move their children

Simply downgrade psychological expectations

What is mycoplasma? At what age are children most likely to get it? Can adults also get it?

What is Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a microorganism between viruses and bacteria and is a common pathogen in nature. Mycoplasma pneumoniae has no cell wall structure, like a bacterium without a "coat". 75% alcohol and chlorine-containing disinfectants (such as 84 disinfectant) can kill Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

People are generally susceptible to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, but it is more common in children and adolescents over 5 years old.

Pathogens that cause pneumonia generally have seasonal outbreaks. Mycoplasma pneumonia has been prevalent in some areas of my country in the past two years, especially this year, with clusters of outbreaks occurring in a few families or classes.

How is Mycoplasma pneumoniae spread?

Patients infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and asymptomatic carriers are the main sources of infection. The incubation period is 1 to 3 weeks. The patient is contagious during the incubation period until several weeks after symptoms are relieved.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is mainly transmitted through droplets , and the pathogen can be carried in secretions from coughing, sneezing, and runny nose.

What are the symptoms after infection?

Symptoms in adults after infection are generally mild, with respiratory symptoms such as cough being common, and usually responding well to treatment with antibacterial drugs such as macrolides or quinolones.

Because children's immune systems are not yet fully developed, their symptoms after infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae are more severe than those of adults. They are generally characterized by fever and cough . The cough is more severe and may continue for 1 to 2 weeks after the fever subsides. The course of Mycoplasma pneumonia is related to the severity of the disease, generally 2 to 4 weeks.

The early symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection are not significantly different from those of other common respiratory pathogen infections. It is usually impossible to determine whether it is a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection by yourself. Pathogenic testing must be performed in a medical institution to make a clear diagnosis** (when going to a medical institution, be sure to provide respiratory protection and hand hygiene to reduce cross-infection).

If fever is accompanied by severe cough, you should seek medical attention promptly, find out the cause as soon as possible, and receive standardized treatment . Do not take medication blindly on your own.

How to prevent it?

Currently, there is no vaccine specifically to prevent Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. However, developing good hygiene habits is important to avoid infection.

Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated public places, and wear a mask when necessary.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the used tissue into the trash can.

Keep your hands clean and wash them frequently with soap or hand sanitizer under running water.

Try not to go to crowded places, keep a certain distance from people with colds and coughs, etc.

Pay attention to indoor ventilation, and ventilate for at least 30 minutes each time to keep the air fresh.

Keep hygiene good, wash bed sheets and quilts regularly, and dry them in the sun.

Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, strengthen physical exercise, enhance physical fitness and improve resistance.

Schools, kindergartens and other places should ensure proper ventilation and disinfection to avoid clustered infections.

Finally, parents should pay attention to their students' mental and health conditions. If children have fever, cough or other physical discomfort, they should stay at home and not go to school. If children have respiratory symptoms, pay attention to changes in their condition. If children have persistent fever, severe cough or recurrent symptoms, they should seek medical attention in time. When family members are taking care of patients and accompanying them to see a doctor, they should also wear masks and take good self-protection measures.