What Is Mycoplasma Pneumonia? How Is It Diagnosed and Treated?

A form of bacteria called mycoplasma pneumonia (MP) can induce a variety of symptoms, such as a dry cough, fever, and mild dyspnea with physical exercise. Out of all human infections, Mycoplasma pneumonia is one of the most well-known, with over 200 distinct species identified to date.

Many patients with Mycoplasma Pneumonia-caused respiratory infections do not go on to develop pneumonia. Because of this, MP is sometimes referred to as walking pneumonia and is regarded as an atypical pneumonia.

In crowded places like schools, nursing homes, and college campuses, contact with respiratory secretions can swiftly spread Mycoplasma pneumonia. The MP bacteria are released into the air when someone coughs or sneezes, making it easy for those nearby to breathe the germs in. Once within the body, the bacteria can settle on the tissue in your lungs and grow until an infection takes hold.

Atypical bacterial germs cause 7 to 20 percent of community-acquired (non-hospital) instances of pneumonia. Only around 10% of those infected with Mycoplasma Pneumonia will go on to develop pneumonia, yet it is the most common source of infections among them.

In addition to pneumonia, the bacteria can cause sore throats, ear infections, tracheobronchitis, or chest colds.

Because mycoplasma pneumonia sufferers’ lungs appear white in X-rays, the illness has been dubbed “white lung syndrome.”

Mycoplasma pneumonia risk factors

In many healthy persons, MP can be eliminated by the immune system before it becomes an infection. Those most in danger consist of:

• Senior citizens
• those with immune system-compromising conditions, such as HIV patients, or those receiving long-term steroids, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy.
• individuals with lung conditions
• individuals with sickle cell disease
• kids under the age of five

Mycoplasma Pneumonia symptoms

The symptoms of MP are distinct from those of ordinary pneumonia brought on by Haemophilus and Streptococcus bacteria. Rather than a lower respiratory illness or pneumonia, MP may resemble an upper respiratory infection or common cold. Infection is most often indicated by a dry cough. Additional signs could be:

• discomfort

• slight dyspnea

Rarely, the infection may worsen and cause harm to the central nervous system or heart. Among these illnesses are, for instance:

• inflammation of the joints in arthritis
• pericarditis or inflammation of the heart’s surrounding pericardium
• Guillain-Barré syndrome is a neurological condition that can cause death or paralysis.
• renal failure encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can be fatal
• anaemia hemolytic
• uncommon and hazardous skin diseases like toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome; uncommon ear issues like bullous myringitis

Rarely, MP could be lethal.

With MP, patients typically do not experience significant dyspnea, a high fever, or a productive cough. Rather, they are experiencing a low-grade fever, weariness, mild dyspnea, and a dry cough, especially during physical activity.

Mycoplasma pneumonia complications

An MP infection may become harmful in some circumstances. MP has the potential to exacerbate asthmatic symptoms. Additionally, MP may worsen into a more serious form of pneumonia.

Although long-term MP is uncommon, certain studies indicate it might contribute to persistent lung conditions. MP can occasionally be lethal if left untreated.

Among the other possible MP side effects are:

• breathing difficulties
• acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• lung abscess
• consolidation of the lungs
• bronchiolitis obliterans

If you have any symptoms, especially if they persist for longer than two weeks, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Causes

Bacteria called Mycoplasma Pneumonia can infect people by causing harm to the lining of the respiratory system, including the windpipe, lungs, and throat. At some point, people can have the bacteria in their throat or nose without getting sick.

How it disseminates

Small respiratory droplets containing Mycoplasma pneumonia are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If the droplets are inhaled by other people, they can infect them.

The majority of persons who come into contact with someone who has Mycoplasma pneumonia for a brief period are not infected. Nonetheless, because cohabiting individuals spend so much time together, the bacteria frequently spread among them.

Typical locations for outbreaks

The majority of Mycoplasma Pneumonia outbreaks take place in crowded environments like hospitals, schools, long-term care facilities, college residence halls, and military training grounds. Those who become ill in the community during school-based outbreaks are typically relatives of sick schoolchildren.

Prevention

Mycoplasma pneumoniae can infect a person more than once. Although there is no vaccination to stop Mycoplasma Pneumonia infections, there are steps people may take to keep others and themselves safe.

Observant hygiene

Mycoplasma Pneumonia is primarily disseminated by coughing and sneezing, much like many other respiratory infections. Here are some pointers to stop Mycoplasma Pneumonia from spreading:

• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.
• Place used tissues in a trash can.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve rather than your hands if you do not have a tissue handy.
• Frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.
• Use an alcohol-based hand rub in the absence of soap and water.

Antibiotics for prevention

Antibiotics are typically not prescribed by doctors to treat patients who are at risk of infection (e.g., close contact of an infected person).

Treatment

Antibiotics:

The initial line of treatment for MP is antibiotics. Antibiotics prescribed for adults are different for children to avoid harmful side effects.

Children’s first-choice antibiotics, known as macrolides, consist of:

• Erythromycin
• Clarithromycin
• Azithromycin
• roxithromycin

Adults who are prescribed antibiotics include:

• quinazolines, such as levofloxacin and moxifloxacin

• tetracycline and doxycycline.

Corticosteroids:

In certain cases, corticosteroids must be used in addition to antibiotics to control inflammation. These corticosteroids include, for example:

• Methylprednisolone

• Prednisolone

Immunomodulatory treatment:

In addition to corticosteroids, further “immunomodulatory therapy” such as intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIG, may be necessary if you have severe MP.

Making the Mycoplasma pneumonia diagnosis

Typically, MP does not show any symptoms for the first one to three weeks following exposure. Because an infection does not always show up right away in the body, early-stage diagnosis is challenging.

The infection may not just affect your lungs. If this occurs, a skin rash, joint involvement, and red blood cell fragmentation could all be indicators of infection.

Your doctor listens for any unusual noises in your breathing with a stethoscope to diagnose you. Your doctor may also use a CT scan and a chest X-ray to aid in the diagnosis.

Summary

The second most frequent cause of adult hospitalizations associated with pneumonia, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, is Mycoplasma Pneumonia.

After an acute infection, many people acquire antibodies against MP, which shields them from contracting the virus again. Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or those on long-term chemotherapy, immunomodulators, or steroids, may be more susceptible to reinfection.

For the rest, symptoms ought to go away one to two weeks following therapy. Although a cough may persist, most instances go away in 4 to 6 weeks with no long-term effects.

Consult your physician if your symptoms worsen or if your everyday activities are becoming affected by the infection. If your MP infection has resulted in any additional conditions, you may need to get diagnosed or treated.

People at risk

Outbreaks of Mycoplasma Pneumonia typically take place in crowded environments.

Although they can affect anyone, mycoplasma pneumonia infections are most common in young adults and school-aged children. There is a higher risk for those who live and work in congested areas. Among these settings are:

• Halls of residence for colleges
• Facilities for military training
• Long-term care establishments
• Medical Facilities

The following individuals are also more vulnerable to severe infections:

• Recuperating from a lung infection

• Having a compromised immune system