What are the symptoms of cough mycoplasma infection in children?

Mycoplasma infection spreads very widely among children. Once they become sick, the children usually feel uncomfortable and cry constantly, which hurts the parents too. However, many parents are still unaware of the symptoms that this disease may cause, and are unable to detect their children’s condition in the first place, which may lead to worsening of the condition. So what kind of clinical manifestations will occur after the infection?

Mycoplasma infection in children is mainly caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Most cases have a mild onset and present with symptoms such as fever, anorexia, cough, chills, headache, sore throat, and pain under the sternum. The body temperature is between 37 and 41°C, most of the time around 39°C. It may be continuous or remittent, or there may only be a low-grade fever or even no fever. Most coughs are severe, with a dry cough at the beginning, followed by the secretion of sputum (occasionally containing a small amount of blood), and sometimes paroxysmal coughs that are slightly similar to whooping cough. Nausea, vomiting, and transient maculopapular rash or urticaria may occur occasionally. Generally there is no dyspnea, but infants may have wheezing and dyspnea.

Mycoplasma pneumonia may be complicated by exudative pleurisy and lung abscess. There is a certain relationship between chronic lung diseases and Mycoplasma pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumonia may be accompanied by multi-system and multi-organ damage. Extra-respiratory lesions may involve the skin and mucous membranes, manifesting as a measles-like or scarlet fever-like rash, and occasionally nonspecific myalgia and migratory joint pain. Vomiting, diarrhea and liver function damage may be seen in the gastrointestinal system. Hemolytic anemia is more common in the blood system. The nervous system manifests itself as multiple radiculitis, meningoencephalitis and cerebellar damage. Mixed bacterial infections are rare. The natural course of the disease varies from a few days to 2 to 4 weeks. In most cases, the fever subsides in 8 to 12 days, and the recovery period takes 1 to 2 weeks.

Generally speaking, the symptoms of mycoplasma infection in children are quite obvious and easier for parents to notice, especially when they hear a cough. Parents should pay close attention immediately and it is best to go to the pediatric clinic for a detailed examination of the lungs, so that children can get rid of the pain of the disease as soon as possible.