Pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumoniae are bacteria that may cause pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of mild respiratory illness. Since late spring, the number of infections caused by M. pneumoniae has been increasing, especially among young children. 

Mycoplasma is a bacterium that can infect different parts of the body. M. pneumoniae is a type of Mycoplasma that can cause respiratory tract infections. The bacteria can damage the lining of the respiratory tract, including the throat, windpipe, and lungs.

M. pneumoniae infections are generally mild and mostly present as a chest cold but may also present as pneumonia. Symptom onset is typically gradual and can include fever, cough, and a sore throat. When an M. pneumoniae infection progresses to pneumonia, it's typically a less severe form of bacterial pneumonia commonly referred to as "walking pneumonia."

M. pneumoniae can cause "walking pneumonia" ‎

People with pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae can seem better than expected for someone with a lung infection. With mild symptoms, people may not stay home or in bed. Thus, the phrase "walking pneumonia" was coined.

While uncommon, serious complications from infection can occur that require hospital care, including new or worsening asthma, severe pneumonia, and encephalitis (brain disease). M. pneumoniae is a common cause of bacterial infection among people who need hospital care due to community-acquired pneumonia.

M. pneumoniae infections can occur at any age, but they most often occur among children ages 5–17 years and young adults. Younger children may have different symptoms (e.g., diarrhea, wheezing, or vomiting).

M. pneumoniae spread through respiratory droplets

M. pneumoniae bacteria are spread by inhaling respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Other people can get infected if they breathe in those droplets. Strategies that prevent respiratory viruses, such as handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, also prevent these bacteria from spreading.

Outbreaks occur mostly in crowded environments such as schools, college residence halls, and nursing homes. Outbreaks can be prolonged due to:

• the long incubation period of M. pneumoniae, which is between one and four weeks;

• the ability of the bacteria to persist in the respiratory tract for several months; and

• the prolonged presence of symptoms such as coughing.

Most people who spend a short amount of time with someone who is sick with M. pneumoniae don't get infected. However, people who spend a lot of time with someone who is sick with M. pneumoniae are at increased risk.

Some people are more likely to get infected than others. For example, people recovering from respiratory illness and those with a weakened immune system are at increased risk for serious infection.

Healthy living practices

Avoid people who are sick. If you are sick, stay away from others as much as possible to keep from getting them sick.

You can also help prevent respiratory infections by:

• Washing your hands regularly

• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are touched a lot

• Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve

• Limiting contact with cigarette smoke or quitting smoking

• Taking good care of chronic medical conditions (like asthma)

Recommendations from CDC

For the public

• Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Stay aware of who might be at higher risk of severe disease, including people with asthma or reactive airway disease.

• Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of M. pneumoniae and other respiratory germs.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

Reference:

About Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection 

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infections Have Been Increasing