‘Cough cough’ that never stops…’This disease’ with symptoms similar to whooping cough is popular

The Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection epidemic among children and adolescents is not abating. The disease initially has similar symptoms to a cold, but it differs in that the cough can last for a short period of several weeks or a long period of several months. The medical community reports that the epidemic period can last for about a year due to the decline in antibiotic resistance, and urges secondary antibiotic administration and strict compliance with quarantine rules.

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a disease caused by the bacteria called ‘Mycoplasma’. The number of patients hospitalized with Mycoplasma pneumonia infection in the third week of last month was 486, which is 1.7 times more than the 286 patients in the fourth week of May. The total number of patients hospitalized in 220 medical institutions participating in nationwide sample surveillance from the beginning of this year to the third week of last month was 1,451, which is 7.8 times more than the 185 patients in the same period last year.

The number of hospitalized patients by age was 1,128 out of 1,451 children and adolescents aged 1 to 12, accounting for 77.7%. Adults can also contract this disease, so chronic respiratory patients, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems cannot be at ease.

Professor Shim Jeong-yeon of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital said, “Mycoplasma pneumonia initially presents with symptoms similar to a cold, such as a sore throat and fever, and a cough begins a day or two later.” She continued, “What makes it different from a simple cold is that the fever and cough persist over time, and the patient’s appetite decreases.”

“Even after the fever goes away, the cough can persist for weeks or months, and can even lead to a chronic cough,” he added.

Additionally, this disease may be accompanied by symptoms other than pneumonia, such as skin rashes such as hives, abdominal pain, vomiting, anemia, meningitis, and encephalitis.

It is similar to whooping cough in that the cough lasts a long time. However, while mycoplasma pneumonia is initially accompanied by a high fever of 38 degrees or higher, whooping cough has a low-grade fever of 37.5 degrees or less or no fever symptoms.

Mycoplasma pneumonia has been prevalent in Korea in cycles of 3 to 4 years. However, the cycle is becoming shorter due to the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and it is pointed out that more caution is needed.

Professor Shim advised, “If symptoms such as fever and cough do not improve 48 to 72 hours after administering macrolides, the first-line antibiotics for mycoplasma pneumonia, or if pneumonia does not improve and worsens on chest X-ray, it should be considered macrolide antibiotic resistance and the patient should be changed to a second-line antibiotic.”

Most cases of mycoplasma pneumonia have a good clinical course. However, in the case of macrolide-resistant bacteria, if not treated appropriately, pleural effusion or respiratory distress may occur. In addition, if fever persists for a long time due to an excessive immune response to the bacteria, administration of immunosuppressants such as steroids is also considered.

Professor Shim emphasized, “If a patient occurs at school or within a family, new pneumonia patients can appear at intervals of 1 to 3 weeks,” and “It is most important to thoroughly maintain personal hygiene, such as wearing a mask and making hand washing a part of daily life.”

The following are routine preventive measures for mycoplasma pneumonia suggested by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

▲Mycoplasma pneumonia daily prevention methods

1. Wash your hands with soap under running water for more than 30 seconds.

2. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

3. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

4. Seek medical attention and rest when experiencing respiratory symptoms

5. Avoid contact with people while you have symptoms.

6. Use patients’ towels, water cups, etc. separately