Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a tiny organism that causes respiratory tract infections, often referred to as “walking pneumonia.” Symptoms are similar to a cold but can worsen, leading to pneumonia. Infection occurs through exposure to respiratory secretions and is more likely to occur in the summer or fall, particularly in schools. Treatment includes antibiotics, rest, and fluids.
A mycoplasma infection is contamination with the organism called mycoplasma pneumoniae, and these are tiny organisms that are neither bacteria nor viruses. Both have been thought of over time, but are now considered in a class of their own. When people have a mycoplasma infection, the condition normally primarily affects the respiratory tract, although it starts much like a common cold. When people discuss walking pneumonia, they often mean Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.
The first signs of a mycoplasma infection are quite similar to colds and viruses. People may have a sore throat, stuffy nose, and fever. Instead of improving these symptoms as they usually would within about ten days of the onset of a cold, they tend to get worse. Fever may continue, some people develop ear infections, especially children, and pneumonia may develop. Usually this form of pneumonia isn’t severe enough to keep people bedridden like other forms do, so it’s called the “walking” form. People may be on their feet and not realize they have developed pneumonia.
It’s quite easy to get a mycoplasma infection and there seems to be a pattern to when they occur. Infection usually occurs through exposure to the organism contained in nasal or respiratory secretions. So, for example, a person with a mycoplasma infection sneezing or coughing around an uninfected person could result in inhalation of droplets that contain mycoplasma organisms. These can start creating disease within about two to three weeks after initial exposure.
Models regarding these infections tend to show that they occur about every four to eight years in most communities and are more likely to occur during the summer or fall. Usually, communities will experience a widespread outbreak within this time frame, and those most affected are children and young adults. It’s probably worth noting that late summer and early fall are generally times when children return to school, and common class attendance can spur a mycoplasma infection for an entire school or college. Parents may also be more likely to ignore or dismiss infections that look like the common cold early in the school year and send children to school sick, resulting in more spread of the disease to others.
Although a mycoplasma infection can clear up without treatment, certain medications may be used to address it, including basic antibiotics such as erythromycin or its derivatives. It is known that some people may then become immune to future infections, but it is difficult to know how long this immunity lasts. Common treatment to get rid of the symptoms of the infection other than antibiotics can include plenty of rest and plenty of fluids.
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