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Editor : Xia Mingyi / Source : Central News Agency via NTDTV / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/11/28/a103830095.html
"Walking Pneumonia": A look at the symptoms and prevention of the Mycoplasma epidemic in China
Image : The picture shows that on January 28, 2021, in Wuhan, China, Chinese passengers wearing protective masks got off the train at the subway station during rush hour. Schematic diagram. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
A respiratory disease pandemic has recently broken out in China, and cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae have increased rapidly in many places. The Department of Disease Control and Prevention has comprehensively strengthened vigilance at Taiwan’s airports and ports, calling on the elderly and young children not to travel unless necessary. What are the symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection? Who belongs to the high-risk group? How to prevent it? Central News Agency has compiled relevant information to help you understand.
What is Mycoplasma pneumoniae?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is not a mold, but an atypical bacterium. It is the smallest pathogen found so far that can replicate on its own. Unlike ordinary bacteria, it has no cell wall, and many common antibiotics are ineffective against it. Compared with ordinary pneumonia, most patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae have mild symptoms and can still move. Therefore, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is also called "walking pneumonia" or "walking pneumonia."
What is the route of infection? Who belongs to the high-risk group?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be transmitted from person to person through droplets produced by coughing or sneezing. The incubation period is about 1 to 4 weeks. It is most commonly spread within households.
All age groups can be infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, but it is more common in young people and school-age children. In addition, people living or working in places such as schools, dormitories, military, nursing homes and hospitals are at higher risk of infection. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who have recovered from respiratory illnesses or have weakened immune systems may also be at high risk for Mycoplasma pneumonia infection.
Data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on November 7 pointed out that the number of Mycoplasma pneumoniae cases in Taiwan this year is higher than in the past three years. The age distribution of the cases is mainly children under 6 years old, accounting for 60%, followed by children between 7 and 12 years old, accounting for about 17.7%. %.
What are the symptoms of infection?
The most common form of illness caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, especially in children, is bronchitis. Symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, and cough that can last for weeks or even months. About 10% of people will get pneumonia, with symptoms such as mucus sputum, fever and chills, difficulty breathing, chest pain and fatigue. Children younger than 5 years old are less likely to have fever when infected, but may have symptoms such as wheezing, vomiting or diarrhea.
A small number of patients will have complications such as severe pneumonia, asthma attacks, encephalitis, hemolytic anemia, abnormal renal function, and skin diseases (Stephen Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermolysis).
How is Mycoplasma pneumoniae treated?
Most people with the infection recover on their own, but if pneumonia develops, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics. Once a patient starts taking antibiotics, they must complete the course of treatment as directed by the doctor to slow down the development of drug resistance.
The main drugs used to treat Mycoplasma pneumoniae are macrocyclic antibiotics, with tetracycline antibiotics and fluoroquinolone antibiotics as alternative drugs. Lin Yongqing, an epidemic prevention physician at the CDC, said that recent studies from various countries have shown that Mycoplasma pneumoniae has increased resistance to macrocyclic antibiotics. A study released by Taiwan last year found that the resistance has reached 70%. There are currently other antibiotics that can be substituted, but if When treating children, safety and side effects must be considered and clinicians must evaluate them.
How to prevent Mycoplasma pneumoniae? Are there any vaccines available?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. If you have respiratory symptoms, you must wear a mask. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and discard it immediately. If there is no tissue, you can cover it with your upper arms or elbows. Do not use your hands directly. In addition, always use soap Wash your hands frequently and rub them for at least 20 seconds. If water is not available, use dry hand sanitizer instead.
Is there immunity after infection? Will it relapse in the future?
The CDC states that infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae does not confer lifelong immunity and you may still be infected again in the future.
As the epidemic heats up in China, how does Taiwan prevent blockage?
Since October, respiratory diseases such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae have broken out in China, and outpatient and emergency visits to hospitals in many places have exploded. In the face of the escalating epidemic situation in China, the CDC has strengthened comprehensive alerts at airports and ports, and has placed notices on electronic signboards and marquees at the airport to remind passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong and Macao to pay attention to their symptoms. It has also issued a circular to remind the medical community across the country to ask patients about their travel to China. history. At the same time, the elderly and young children are urged not to travel to China unless necessary.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae has developed severe drug resistance in China. Luo Yijun, deputy director of the Department of Disease Control and Prevention, said that the Mycoplasma pneumoniae epidemic usually reaches its peak in 2 to 3 months. According to WHO data provided by China, the Mycoplasma pneumoniae epidemic began in May. , respiratory diseases after October are multi-pathogens. Huang Limin, an attending physician at the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at National Taiwan University Hospital, expressed concern about a new wave of Mycoplasma epidemics in Taiwan next spring. Luo Yijun said that Mycoplasma mainly occurs in children, while adults cannot ignore influenza, covid.
Mycoplasma, also known as “walking pneumonia” CDC QA analysis
Image : Mycoplasma infection has mild symptoms and long duration, so it is also called "walking pneumonia". The picture is a schematic diagram, and the characters have nothing to do with the news. (Picture taken from shuttestock)
An epidemic of Mycoplasma pneumonia has occurred in China, and many children need to be hospitalized. Not only China, but also countries such as South Korea and Sweden have seen more cases than before. Domestic doctors have warned that a pandemic of Mycoplasma infection may occur in the near future. In fact, mycoplasma pneumonia has been around for a long time. Because of its long course and severe cough, it is known as "walking pneumonia". What are the characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and which groups are prone to it? The CDC has compiled common questions for public reference.
What are the characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the smallest pathogen found so far that can replicate on its own. Unlike other bacteria, it has no cell wall and many common antibiotics are ineffective against it.
What is the route of infection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae? How long is the incubation period?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be spread from person to person through droplets produced by coughing or sneezing. The incubation period is about 1 to 4 weeks.
Why is Mycoplasma pneumonia called “walking pneumonia”?
Pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae is different from ordinary pneumonia: the symptoms are usually mild and last for a long time, so it is called "walking pneumonia".
What are the possible complications of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection?
A small number of patients have severe complications such as severe pneumonia, asthma attacks, encephalitis, hemolytic anemia, abnormal renal function and skin diseases (Stephen Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermolysis).
High-risk groups and areas for infection?
Commonly seen in young people and school-age children. Transmission within households is usually the most common. At the same time, people who live or work in places such as schools, university dormitories, the military, nursing homes and hospitals are at higher risk of infection.
How to prevent mycoplasma infection?
Since there is no vaccine and re-infection is possible, the CDC recommends that you wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms (especially coughing); when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and discard it immediately. If no tissue is available, you can change it to the above Use your arm or elbow instead, never use your hands directly; wash your hands frequently with soap and rub for at least 20 seconds. When there is no water, you can use dry hand sanitizer instead.
If an infection occurs, how is it usually treated?
Most people with the infection recover on their own; however, if pneumonia develops, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics. It is generally recommended that macrocyclic antibiotics are the first-choice treatment, and alternative drugs are fluoroquinolones or tetracyclines. However, recent studies from various countries have shown that the resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to macrocyclic antibiotics has increased, and the difficulty of treatment has increased accordingly. Therefore, it is recommended that if antibiotics are needed for patients suspected of being infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, please consider their age and severity of clinical manifestations, and refer to domestic and foreign clinical guidelines for treatment. At the same time, the CDC reminds that antibiotic treatment should be completed as directed by the doctor to slow down the development of drug resistance.
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