The proportion of severe and critical illness caused by mycoplasma pneumonia is very low
Recently, mycoplasma pneumonia has frequently been on the hot searches. Many children have contracted this disease, which has made many parents worried. What exactly is mycoplasma pneumonia? How to take medicine? How to prevent it? Regarding related topics, a reporter from Beijing Youth Daily interviewed Tong Zhaohui, director of the Beijing Institute of Respiratory Diseases and vice president of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, and asked him to give detailed answers to the relevant situation of mycoplasma pneumonia. Tong Zhaohui said that mycoplasma pneumonia is not a new or rare disease, and it is not scary. If you have relevant symptoms, you can seek medical treatment in time.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pathogenic microorganism that is between bacteria and viruses in size. Tong Zhaohui said that mycoplasma pneumonia occurs every season. Strictly speaking, it is not a respiratory infectious disease, but a respiratory infectious disease. Compared with previous years, this year’s mycoplasma pneumonia has two characteristics: first, there has been a small peak of infection this year; second, the infected population has become younger. That is, in the past, children aged 5 and above were often infected, but this year, children around 3 years old were infected. There are also infections. “But in any case, mycoplasma pneumonia is not a new, rare disease, nor is it a terrible pneumonia.” Tong Zhaohui said.
From a symptom perspective, why are children infected with mycoplasma pneumonia more severe than adults? Tong Zhaohui explained that the lungs of young children are not yet fully developed, and the immune systems of children under 14 or even 18 years old are not yet complete, and the defense capabilities of the respiratory tract and the immune mechanism in the body are relatively weaker than those of adults. “Especially some young children’s lungs are delicate. Once they get pneumonia, they are often prone to obvious symptoms, such as high fever, cough, sputum, etc. In addition, some children’s cardiopulmonary function is not yet fully developed, which may even affect the heart, such as rapid heartbeat. and other situations. Generally speaking, children’s symptoms will be more prominent, and the occurrence of these conditions often makes parents worried.”
Tong Zhaohui said that relatively speaking, from a clinical point of view, adults suffering from mycoplasma pneumonia are generally not serious and have a certain degree of self-limiting. It is one of the milder types of pneumonia in adults, and the treatment methods are relatively mature. Generally, No need to be hospitalized, just take medication.
In terms of medication, Tong Zhaohui said that adults have more selective treatment options, such as macrolide drugs. At present, due to the high proportion of macrolide drug resistance in China, in the case of drug resistance, quinolones are often the first choice for adults. However, people under the age of 18 cannot take quinolones and can only choose macrolide drugs. Lactone drugs. There are now some new tetracyclines that can be used in children over 8 years old when resistance to macrolides develops. “Because there are relatively few drugs available and the symptoms are more obvious, children may have a relatively long battlefront after they get mycoplasma pneumonia.”
What symptoms do parents need to pay attention to when their children have symptoms? Tong Zhaohui reminded: “When you find that your child has a cough or a high fever that persists, parents should pay attention. Especially for some younger children, the symptoms will be obvious. In addition to fever and cough, they may also have suffocation and difficulty breathing. At this time, they should cause Pay enough attention and seek medical treatment promptly.” Regarding medical treatment, Tong Zhaohui reminded: “Mycoplasma pneumonia is not a difficult and complicated disease, and parents do not necessarily have to rush to large hospitals. Now the training and treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia are very standardized, and there are also scientific diagnosis and treatment guidelines. Many secondary hospitals and community hospitals can treat patients.”
Will getting mycoplasma pneumonia leave any sequelae? Tong Zhaohui said that there are generally no sequelae. Especially among adults, mycoplasma pneumonia is the most treatable and mildest type of pneumonia, and the proportion of severe and critical illness caused by it is very low. A small number of children may develop severe pneumonia. After being admitted to the hospital, doctors will closely observe them and take corresponding treatment measures in accordance with the diagnosis and treatment guidelines. Parents do not need to worry too much.
After being infected with mycoplasma pneumonia, it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop. During the recovery stage, especially some younger children must pay attention to rest, strengthen nutrition, eat more protein, and also allow children to exercise moderately. “We are currently in the season of respiratory diseases. The general public should pay attention to hand hygiene, open more windows at home for ventilation, and wear masks in public places and crowded places. These daily protective measures are the same as the prevention of respiratory diseases.” Tong Zhaohui said.
