Mycoplasmosis (mycoplasmal infection) in children

Mycoplasmal infection (mycoplasmosis) in children is an acute infectious disease of humans and animals caused by mycoplasmas - peculiar microorganisms occupying an intermediate position between viruses and bacteria in terms of their biological properties.

ICD-10 code

A49.3 Infection caused by mycoplasma, unspecified.

Epidemiology

The source of infection is a sick person or a healthy carrier of mycoplasmas. The main transmission path is airborne. Possible transmission of infection through household items, toys, but this is of limited importance because of the instability of mycoplasmas.

The greatest number of diseases is recorded in the cold season (October to February). However, epidemic outbreaks in organized groups can be recorded in the summer. Circulation Mycoplasma pneumoniae sharply increases in newly formed groups. In the first 3-4 months, approximately half of the children are infected. The maximum disease falls on age over 10 years.

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The causes of mycoplasmosis in children

Mycoplasmas belong to an independent class of microorganisms - more than 40 species of this family are known. Most of them cause diseases in animals and birds. In humans, there are basically 6 kinds of mycoplasmas: M. Pneumoniae, M. Hominis, M. Orale, M. Salivarium, M. Fermentans and T-mycoplasmas. Pathogenic include M. Pneumoniae, conditional-pathogenic - M. Hominis and T-group mycoplasmas. The other species are known as commensals. Mycoplasmas can cause damage to the respiratory system, heart, joints, central nervous system and urogenital system. Of all mycoplasmas, the most studied M. Pneumoniae is the causative agent of acute respiratory disease, focal pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, croup, polyarthritis, meningitis, and others.

What causes mycoplasmosis?

Symptoms of mycoplasmosis in children

The incubation period lasts 1-3 weeks. Sometimes 4-5 weeks. The disease can occur in a variety of clinical forms: from the lungs of the catarrh of the upper respiratory tract to severe draining pneumonia.

Qatar of the upper respiratory tract begins gradually, with the rise in body temperature to subfebrile values, a runny nose, a decrease in appetite, and a dry, excruciating cough. Older children complain of general weakness, malaise, chills, aches, headaches, dryness and choking in the throat. In subsequent days, body temperature often rises, reaching a maximum of 38-39 ° C on the 3-4th or even on the 5-6th day from the onset of the disease. At the height of clinical manifestations, paleness of the face, sometimes hyperemia of the conjunctiva, injection of vessels of the sclera are noted. Possible headache, dizziness, cognition, sleep disturbance, sweating, pain in the eyeballs, sometimes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, some enlargement of the liver, lymphadenopathy.

Symptoms of mycoplasmosis (mycoplasmal infection)

Diagnosis of mycoplasmosis in children

The diagnosis is established on the basis of a gradual onset of the disease, a painful cough, a prolonged fever with minor intoxication and mild catarrhal symptoms, a sequential appearance of the symptoms of the bronchopulmonary system until the appearance of low-symptom (atypical) pneumonia, a certain increase in lymph nodes, and a prolonged course of the disease.

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Treatment of mycoplasmosis in children

In mild forms, treatment is symptomatic. Assign inside ibuprofen syrup, paracetamol, antihistamines, a complex of vitamins, plentiful drink, hot foot baths, ozocerite boots, expectorant medicines, mucaltin, etc.

Diagnosis and treatment of mycoplasmosis (mycoplasmal infection)

Prophylaxis of mycoplasmosis in children

In the focus of infection, early isolation of the patient and conducting general preventive measures are important. Specific prophylaxis is not developed.