Last week, we talked about walking pneumonia. Today, we will talk about Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is one of the common causes of walking pneumonia. It can cause other respiratory infections as well. Infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae are on the rise. Let’s talk about what you need to know.
What is Mycoplasma pneumoniae?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is often referred to simply as mycoplasma, is a type of bacteria. It causes infections in the respiratory tract, including the throat, the trachea (the windpipe leading from the mouth to the lungs), and the lungs.
The most common infection caused by mycoplasma is a chest cold. The medical term for a chest cold is tracheobronchitis, which means an infection in the trachea and bronchi of the lungs. A chest cold is different from pneumonia because the alveoli, or air sacs, of the lungs are not involved. This type of infection affects only the airway tubes, including the trachea and bronchi (airway tubes within the lungs).Mycoplasma less commonly causes pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that affects the air sacs, causing them to fill with fluid and pus. Pneumonia caused by mycoplasma is generally mild (walking pneumonia) but can sometimes become severe.
Here are a few basic facts about mycoplasma:
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Mycoplasma infections, including walking pneumonia, have been rising significantly in recent weeks, causing local health departments to issue alerts to healthcare providers.
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Infections caused by mycoplasma are generally mild but can sometimes be severe.
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In those who need hospital care for pneumonia, mycoplasma is the most common cause in children and the second most common cause for adults. This is according to a study done in the US.
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It can take 1 to 4 weeks for symptoms to start after being exposed to mycoplasma. This is considered the incubation period.
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Once symptoms start, they can often last several weeks. If you have a chest cold that just doesn’t seem to go away, it could be mycoplasma that is to blame.
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In children, mycoplasma can also cause vomiting and diarrhea, in addition to respiratory symptoms.
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Most people will recover from a mycoplasma infection without needing any medicine, but some people do need antibiotics to get better.
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There is no vaccine available for mycoplasma because it has not been a significant cause of death.
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Complications of this infection are much more common and severe if you have a simultaneous infection with COVID, RSV, or influenza. This is more common than you might think. Staying up to date on those vaccines can help prevent complications from mycoplasma.
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Complications or severe disease from mycoplasma is also more common in people who have a compromised immune system.
What are the possible complications of mycoplasma infections?
Although serious complications from mycoplasma are uncommon, they can occur. Here are some of the possible complications:
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Triggering severe asthma attacks or causing asthma to develop.
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Swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
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Hemolytic anemia (a type of anemia caused by red blood cells breaking open)
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Kidney problems
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Serious pneumonia
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Severe skin breakdown that mimics a very serious burn.
If you have any questions about pneumonia, please log into your account and send us your question. We are here to help.
Dr. Anita Bennett MD – Health Tip Content Editor