What should I do if mycoplasma pneumonia is infected in children?

What parents of newborns worry about most is that their newborn children will face the threat of various diseases soon after coming into this world, let alone such a terrible disease as Mycoplasma pneumonia? There is a lot of work to do to prevent mycoplasma pneumonia in children. So what should we do if a child is unfortunately infected with it? Don’t worry, parents. I’m here to teach you.

1. Causes

The main pathogen of this disease is Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a "pleuropneumonia-like microorganism" between bacteria and viruses. It is the smallest known independent pathogenic microorganism and can pass through bacterial filters. It requires a special culture medium containing cholesterol. Colonies will not appear until 10 days after inoculation. The colonies are very small, rarely exceeding 0.5 mm. The pathogen has a diameter of 125 to 150 nm, which is similar to the size of myxovirus. It has no cell wall, so it appears in various forms such as spherical, rod-shaped, and filamentous. It is Gram-negative. Able to withstand freezing. It can only survive for a few hours at 37°C.

II. Inspection

1. The peripheral blood leukocyte count is mostly normal, but may increase, but there may also be leukopenia.

2. The biochemical erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases, mostly mild to moderate increases. Anti-"O" antibody titers were normal. Some children had elevated serum transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase.

3. For early MP detection, PCR can be used to detect MP-16SRDNA or P1 adhesion protein gene in the sputum and other secretions and lung tissues of children. MP can also be isolated and cultured from sputum, nasal secretions, and throat swabs.

4. Serum antibody detection Serum antibodies can be measured through complement fixation test, indirect hemagglutination test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, indirect immunofluorescence test and other methods, or early diagnosis can be obtained by detecting antigens.

5. Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be obtained by culture of sputum, nose and throat swabs, but it takes about 3 weeks. Antiserum can be used to inhibit its growth, and negative culture can be confirmed by hemolysis of red blood cells. About half of the cases produce antibodies 2 weeks after onset of the disease.

The treatment of MP pneumonia in children is basically the same as the treatment principles of general pneumonia. Comprehensive treatment measures are adopted, including general treatment, symptomatic treatment, application of antibiotics, adrenal cortex hormones, and treatment of extrapulmonary complications.

【General treatment】

1. Respiratory Isolation

Mycoplasma infection can cause small epidemics, and the time for children to excrete mycoplasma after becoming ill is long, up to 1 to 2 months. In infancy, the disease only presents with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, and pneumonia develops after repeated infection. At the same time, during the period of mycoplasma infection, it is easy to be infected with other viruses again, which will cause the disease to worsen and become difficult to heal. Therefore, respiratory isolation should be achieved as much as possible for sick children or children with a history of close contact to prevent reinfection and cross-infection.

2. Nursing

Keep the indoor air fresh and provide easily digestible, nutritious food and plenty of fluids. Maintain oral hygiene and clear respiratory tract, turn the child over, pat the back, and change body position frequently to promote the discharge of secretions. If necessary, suction the sputum appropriately to remove viscous secretions.