How to provide home care for children with high incidence of mycoplasma pneumonia?
Recently, there has been a high incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in various places, and the number of infection cases in children has increased significantly. What are the symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia? Once a child is diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia, how should parents take care of it?
According to experts, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pathogen between a virus and a bacterium and has a certain degree of contagiousness. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection occurs every season. Compared with previous years, this year’s Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has two characteristics: first, there is a small peak of infection this year; second, the infected population is younger. Taking Beijing Chaoyang Hospital as an example, At present, there are very few adult patients infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and the vast majority of patients are children and adolescents over 5 years old.
Prompt treatment reduces the risk of serious illness
What conditions do children need to seek medical attention in time? Experts say that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is not a difficult disease and is self-limiting. Adults have milder symptoms after infection, while children’s immune systems are not yet sound. Compared with adults, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has more severe symptoms, usually with fever and cough. Mainly, the cough is more severe. If children and adolescents have symptoms such as persistent cough, persistent high fever, and vomiting, parents should take their children to the hospital promptly to find out the cause of the disease as soon as possible. If the children receive timely treatment, they will be less likely to be at risk of severe illness.
Tong Zhaohui, Director of the Beijing Institute of Respiratory Diseases and Vice President of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University: Generally speaking, it means children or the elderly, and some immunosuppressed people who are usually not in good health and have many underlying diseases. , usually pneumonia may lead to severe illness and hospitalization. However, some mild cases of mycoplasma pneumonia are often self-limiting.
There are usually no sequelae and the probability of reinfection in the near future is low.
If a child is diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia, how to provide home care? Once children are infected with mycoplasma pneumonia, macrolide antibiotics are the first choice for treatment. However, children are prone to develop resistance to macrolide drugs. According to experts, after treatment for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, if the respiratory symptoms completely disappear for more than 3 days, antibacterial drugs can be stopped. After recovery, there are generally no sequelae, and the possibility of re-infection in the near future is low. During the recovery stage, children should pay attention to strengthening nutrition, eating more high-protein diets, ensuring adequate sleep, and engaging in appropriate outdoor exercise, but strenuous exercise is not recommended.
Tong Zhaohui, Director of the Beijing Institute of Respiratory Diseases and Vice President of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University: For children, the main choice is still macrolides. For example, they contain azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, etc. Mycomycin, etc., then generally speaking, the course of treatment should be about 10 days, and some effects may be less effective as long as two weeks.
Developing good hygiene habits can effectively prevent infection
Can mycoplasma pneumonia be prevented in advance? Experts say that although there is currently no vaccine specifically to prevent Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, it is important to develop good hygiene habits to avoid infection. Children should try to avoid going to crowded and poorly ventilated public places, and wear masks when necessary. Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and pay attention to hand hygiene and disinfection. At the same time, pay attention to indoor ventilation and keep warm.
