PNEUMONIA, MYCOPLASMA

General Information

DEFINITION--Contagious lung inflammation caused by mycoplasma bacteria. This germ can cause infection in other body parts.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Upper-respiratory system.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--All ages, but most common in children (1 to 12 years).

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Cough (with or without sputum).
• Fever.
• Labored breathing.
• Chest pain.
• Abdominal pain.
• Bluish skin (severe cases).

CAUSES--Preceding mycoplasma infection in the nose, throat or bronchial tubes.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Stress.
• Illness that has lowered resistance.
• Exposure to cold, harsh weather.
• Unsanitary living conditions.
• Close living conditions (military barracks, college dorms).
• Immunosuppression due to illness or drugs.

HOW TO PREVENT--Avoid exposure to persons who are ill with respiratory infections.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory culture of sputum and blood studies.
• Chest x-rays.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Home care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Hospitalization of seriously ill children.
• For most patients, treatment can usually be done at home.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Prolonged illness.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--This form of pneumonia is characteristically slow to heal. It is usually curable in 4 to 6 weeks with treatment. Lungs should not have residual scars.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Use a cool-mist, ultrasonic humidifier to increase air moisture. Putting medicine in the humidifier probably will not help. Clean humidifier daily.
• Don't suppress the cough with medicine if it produces sputum or mucus. Coughing is useful in ridding the body of lung secretions.
• Suppress the cough with medicine if it is dry, non-productive and painful. Consult your doctor about a cough suppressant.
• Use a heating pad on low heat or hot compresses to relieve chest pain.
• Catch sneezes and coughs with disposable tissue.
• See Resources for Additional Information.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Antibiotics, such as erythromycin or tetracycline, to fight infection. They will shorten duration of fever and other symptoms, but you can carry the organism for weeks in spite of treatment.
• Cough medicine to make the cough more tolerable.
• Nose drops, sprays or oral decongestants to reduce congestion in the upper-respiratory system.

ACTIVITY--Bed rest is necessary until fever subsides. Normal activities should be resumed gradually.

DIET--No special diet. Increase fluids to at least 1 glass of water or other beverage every hour. Extra fluid helps thin lung secretions so they can be coughed up more easily .

Call Your Doctor If

• You or your child have symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia.
• The following occurs during treatment: Fever. Pain that is not relieved by heat or prescribed medication. Increased shortness of breath. Dark or bluish fingernails, skin or toenails. Blood in the sputum. Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.