Is Your Child Sick? It Could be Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Over the last month we've seen more sick children in our emergency room than in previous years. There are several illnesses that are going through schools across the city, and one in particular is mycoplasma pneumonia. Below, our pediatricians share with us how to protect your youngster from it.

Picture source: Bigstock

What is mycoplasma pneumonia?

Mycoplasma pneumonia (M. pneumoniae) is a type of bacterial infection.  

M. pneumoniae lacks a rigid bacterial cell wall, allowing it to alter its size and shape to adapt to its surrounding conditions. Therefore, antimicrobials that target the cell wall, such as beta-lactams (eg. Cephalosporins), are ineffective against it.

What are the symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia?

Common symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia include fever, chills, persistent coughing (that can last for weeks), fatigue, shortness of breath, sore throat, and headaches.

In children younger than five years old there may also be sneezing, a runny nose or congestion, watery eyes, wheezing, and even vomiting and diarrhea.

How is mycoplasma pneumonia generally transmitted?

These bacterial transmissions occur from person to person through tiny airborne droplets with close contact. It is best to be responsible if you are sick by putting on a mask, washing your hands regularly, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and, if possible, avoiding crowded places during this peak infection season. Good hygiene and learning proper cough and sneeze etiquette are essential in preventing infections and transmissions.

At what age are children most likely to develop mycoplasma pneumonia？

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia in school-age children, accounting for up to 20% of pneumonia cases. It is less common in preschool-age children because pneumonia in this age group is typically due to viral etiologies by comparison.

In adults, it only accounts for 4-8% of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, but the numbers are far greater during an epidemic.

What is the difference between influenza (the flu) and mycoplasma pneumonia?

These are different types of illnesses. The flu is a viral illness and mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacterial illness.

Though both diseases have similar symptoms including coughing, fever (sometimes relatively high), fatigue, and chills; the flu can present with (often severe) muscle aches, chest pain, respiratory distress, and lethargy. Severe influenza symptoms can result in death, especially in children with chronic debilitating disease. 

Mycoplasma may be less severe in comparison but can result in severe pneumonia that requires more aggressive treatment.   

How is mycoplasma pneumonia diagnosed in children?

There are three ways to test for mycoplasma pneuomnia. The first is one we're all familiar with by now, through a PCR test. This is also the preferred method of testing. The others are the culture method, which takes time and has a high percentage of false negatives, and the serology method.

What is the prognosis in mycoplasma pneumonia?

The overall prognosis of mycoplasma pneumonia is generally good. Most children who are diagnosed early and receive proper treatment will recover in a timely fashion. Severe mycoplasma pneumonia with pulmonary manifestations are generally rare.  Nevertheless, early diagnosis and proper treatment remains the key. 

Pediatric Clinic

We provide comprehensive care for children in Beijing, including preventive and pediatric sub-specialty care. We work closely with other professionals including those in Family Counseling, Integrative Medicine, and Surgery to evaluate and recommend treatment for children with special needs.

24/7 Pediatric Emergency Care

Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) offers pediatric emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Come in and see a pediatrician when your family needs it the most; it's not necessary to make an appointment.

Same Day Sick Child Pediatric Clinic

Our Same Day Sick Child Pediatric Clinic provides care for children with illnesses and injuries. Please make a same day appointment if your child has:

• Vomiting and diarrhea that lasts for more than a few hours.

• Rash, especially if there is also a fever.

• Any cough or cold that does not get better in several days or a cold that gets worse and is accompanied by a fever.

• Cuts that might need stitches.

• Limping or is not able to move arm or leg.

• Ear pain with fever, is unable to sleep or eat, is vomiting, has diarrhea or is acting ill.

• Discharge from an ear.

• Sore throat or problems swallowing.

• Sharp or persistent pains in the abdomen or stomach.

• A temperature greater than 38 degrees or higher in a baby younger than 2 months of age.

• Fever and vomiting at the same time.

• Not eaten for more than one day.