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Cindori
Member
07-25-2003
| Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 10:39 am
Does anyone know anything about Mycoplasmic Pneumonia? I googled a bit and didn't find anything overly helpful. My dd was diagnosed with it yesterday . . . specifically, is it contagious or any other helpful information? I'm waiting for a call back from her doctor but I'd kinda like to know now. TIA.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 10:54 am
I did a google and it gave me a different spelling...hope this helps and she feels better soon! http://medicine.creighton.edu/forpatients/myco/mycoplas.pdf
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Gidget
Member
07-28-2002
| Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 10:56 am
The “walking pneumonia” Walking or atypical pneumonias are pneumonias that are caused by less common micro-organisms, and most of them are caused by Mycoplasma, an extremely tiny microscopic organism related to bacteria. The pneumonia is called “walking pneumonia” because in most cases the disease is not severe enough to confine the patient to bed or to warrant hospitalization. Mycoplasma pneumonia affects primarily adults below 40 years of age and children. Mycoplasma infections occur year round but are more common in late summer and fall. Mycoplasma pneumonia is infectious and is spread through contact with droplets expelled from the nose and throat of affected people when they sneeze or cough. Generally the transmission of the disease requires a relatively prolonged close contact with an infected person, and most transmissions occur within families. However, every four to eight years, Mycoplasma pneumonia epidemics may occur and involve as many as 50% of all pneumonias. Symptoms begin about 15-25 days after being exposed to an infected person, and develop gradually over the next two to four days. Typical symptoms may include fever, chills, excessive sweating, sore throat, a cough that may or may not be productive, malaise and occasional chest pain.Symptoms may persist for a few days to more than a month. Occasionally, the Mycoplasma pneumonia may be associated with a painful ear infection, anemia or skin rashes. The disease is usually relatively mild, but occasionally individual symptoms may be quite distressing with the patients feeling generally much worse than they look. Diagnostic tests may reveal increased concentrations of certain immune substances (cold agglutininns) but a definite diagnosis of Mycoplasma infection, requires more complicated serological tests which are not usually done unless they are part of a research protocol or for diagnostic purposes of suspected epidemics. The outlook for most treated patients is excellent as the infection responds well to Erythromycin and Tetracyclines. (Tetracyclines are usually not recommended in patients under 7 years of age, because it may cause yellowing of the permanent teeth.) An untreated Mycoplasma pneumonia, in most cases will resolve spontaneously, but may easily drag on over a couple of months or more. Immunity after mycoplasma infections does occur but it is not life long and its exact duration is unknown. Recurrent infections are usually much milder than the original episode. Currently there are no vaccines for the prevention of Mycoplasma infection and the only way of averting the associated walking pneumonia is to avoid being exposed to the sneezing or coughing of infected patients.
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 10:59 am
this is from Discovery:Health The organism Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a bacteria that causes infections in the respiratory system. Less often, it causes an infection of the central nervous system, heart, or skin. What is going on in the body? Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a very contagious bacteria found only in humans. Young children infected with the bacteria often have no symptoms. Older children and adults often have upper respiratory infections. The windpipe and bronchial tubes may be infected. Less often, the person may have pneumonia or an ear infection. Very rarely, the mycoplasma bacteria can cause infections in other parts of the body, including the following : · encephalitis, which is an infection of the brain tissue · meningitis, which is an infection of the membrane lining the brain and spinal cord · myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart · skin infections What are the signs and symptoms of the infection? Mycoplasma infections generally affect the respiratory system. Individuals with mycoplasma respiratory infections may have the following symptoms: · cough · ear pain · fever · headache · malaise, or a vague feeling of illness · sore throat Mycoplasma infections in other body systems cause different symptoms, depending on the organs that are involved. What are the causes and risks of the infection? Mycoplasma infections are caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria. The bacteria spreads from person to person through respiratory secretions. Outbreaks of mycoplasma infections are often seen in young adults who live in crowded situations. For example, outbreaks are seen in college dormitories and military housing. Individuals at high risk for mycoplasma infections include those who have the following conditions: · heart disease · immunodeficiency disorders, which impair the body's ability to fight infection · lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · sickle cell anemia, a condition which causes abnormal red blood cells Mycoplasma pneumonia most often occurs in fall and early winter. What can be done to prevent the infection? Good hand-washing can help prevent some mycoplasma infections. High risk individuals may be given preventive antibiotics if they are in very close contact with an infected person. How is the infection diagnosed? Diagnosis of mycoplasma infections begins with a medical history and physical exam. Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria can be found in the sputum and other body fluids. An antibody titer test can detect antibodies to the infection. A chest X-ray will also help with the diagnosis. What are the long-term effects of the infection? Rarely, mycoplasma infections can cause permanent lung damage. They can also cause nervous system disorders or heart damage. What are the risks to others? Mycoplasma infections are contagious. They can be spread to others through respiratory secretions. What are the treatments for the infection? Following are some of the antibiotics commonly used to treat mycoplasma infections: · clarithromycin · doxycycline · erythromycin · tetracycline What are the side effects of the treatments? Antibiotics may cause stomach upset, rash, or allergic reactions. What happens after treatment for the infection? With treatment, people usually recover fully from mycoplasma infections. How is the infection monitored? The individual may have regular visits with the healthcare provider. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the provider.
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Cindori
Member
07-25-2003
| Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 11:11 am
Thanks Texannie, Gidget, and Landi! That's a whole heckuva lot more information than I got from her doctor! Her mycoplasma infection is in her lymph nodes, which makes her feel like crap and look terrible to boot! Poor baby . . . she wanted to do yoga with me last night and when we went into the table position to start a pose she just lay down on the floor and gave up. The doc gave her Zithromax and I'm hoping it will alleviate her symptoms quickly. She was up most of the night crying . . . I think the antibiotic upset her stomach. She's perkier today, but still quite swollen in her neck and face. She still complains of her ear hurting, also, but not nearly as much as before. It hurts me to see my baby sick and know there's nothing more I can do but wait. Any quick prayers for her would be much appreciated!
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Daydreamer
Member
09-16-2003
| Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 11:57 am
Wow, that is interesting. I went to an allergist last year and they took 10 tubes of blood and that was one of the tests that came back positive. I never even followed up with him but now I'm going to call and make an appointment. I think I remember the nurse telling me on the phone that I should get a pneumonia vaccine but not to be too concerned about it coming back positive. How stupid of me not to follow up, especially considering that I never feel good. I hope your daughter is feeling better soon Cindori.
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Hippyt
Member
09-10-2001
| Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 12:23 pm
My hubby has had this twice.I had no idea it was contagious! Learn something everyday. Hope your daughter gets better really quick. Sick babes are so pitiful!
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