Today, some people often have mycoplasma infections. As a rule, such a disease manifests itself in two clinical variants, namely in bronchopneumonia and inflammation of the genitourinary organs. Mycoplasma infection most commonly occurs in adult patients. In our article, you can find out more detailed information about such a disease.
General information on the causative agent
The causative agent of mycoplasma infections in humans are mycoplasmas. This is a large group of microorganisms. Their characteristic feature is the absence of a cell wall. Penetrating into the body, mycoplasma infection can cause autoimmune disorders. Mycoplasmas are one of the smallest parasites. Surprisingly, they are able to penetrate the human body through any protective barriers.
Mycoplasma infections and their causative agents do not survive in environmental conditions. They die within half an hour at room temperature. The most optimal temperature regime for their stay is 0 degrees Celsius. For this reason, the exacerbation of the disease occurs in the cold season. In contrast to viral infections, mycoplasmas are sensitive to antibacterial drugs.
Mycoplasma in the body of a child
The causative agent of this disease is a microorganism, which in the structure and manner of its existence occupies an intermediate position between viruses and bacteria. Mycoplasma infection in children can manifest as sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. The main symptoms include dry cough, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath. In addition to the respiratory system, mycoplasma can affect the genitourinary system and joints.
Mycoplasma infection in children often passes into pneumonia. According to its symptoms, the disease resembles the flu. The incubation period for mycoplasma infection ranges from several days to a month. Parents often confuse the symptoms of such a disease with the flu or SARS and begin self-treatment of the child. For objective reasons, it remains inconclusive.
Mycoplasma pneumonia develops in children due to exacerbation of bronchitis. Symptoms of this disease include high fever, pain and discomfort in the throat, shortness of breath and weakness. Dry cough that accompanies mycoplasmal infections is often associated with purulent discharge.
Mycoplasma pneumonia in children occurs without exacerbations. Only in some cases complications arise, namely arthritis, meningitis and nephritis. Symptoms of mycoplasmal pneumonia are difficult to distinguish from chlamydial infections of the respiratory tract. The treatment of these two diseases is almost identical.
In children, mycoplasma infections can also cause sinusitis and pharyngitis. On examination, a specialist can diagnose hard breathing and dry rales. The duration of treatment ranges from a few days to a month.
Acute mycoplasma infection occurs in children with ARVI. Symptoms include chills, myalgia, and fever. After the appearance of a dry cough, it gradually intensifies and moisturizes. Over time, a small amount of purulent sputum appears. In some cases, the child has symptoms such as vomiting, loose stools, and nausea. On examination, the patient has pale skin. In order to confirm the diagnosis, a child takes blood from a vein for analysis.
Against the background of acute respiratory viral infections, children often develop mycoplasma infection. Treatment directly depends on the form of the disease. First of all, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis. This is not accidental, because the treatment of mycoplasmosis is significantly different from bronchitis. Children who have pulmonary mycoplasmosis are prescribed antibiotics - doxycycline (Vidoktsin, Dovitsin, Daksal) and fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Levofloxacin), antitussive and expectorant syrups (Lazolvan Ambrobene "), as well as analgesics and antipyretics (" Paracetamol "," Ibuprofen "). Patients with such a disease are isolated until complete recovery.
Infection during pregnancy
The mycoplasma group includes more than ten subspecies. However, only four of them can cause serious diseases in the human body. Mycoplasma (ureaplasma) infection is most common in sexually active or pregnant women. Another factor for the development of the disease is the use of hormonal contraceptives. This is due to an increase in estrogen in the blood of a woman. The main route of transmission of the disease is sexual.
Mycoplasma infection in women does not have specific symptoms. In some cases, patients complain of discomfort during urination or slight discharge. In the absence of proper treatment, inflammation can develop, which can seriously affect the woman's reproductive function. As a result - infertility and spontaneous miscarriages. In addition, the patient may experience cystitis and urethritis.
The development of the disease during pregnancy can cause premature birth, polyhydramnios and inflammation of the walls of the fetus. Mycoplasmal infections adversely affect the development of the child. As a result, damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, skin and nervous system of the fetus can be observed. Mycoplasmal diseases can cause malformations of the child. They act at the genetic level. It is worth noting that violations during pregnancy are possible only if the woman is progressing mycoplasma diseases.
In the presence of inflammatory processes in a pregnant woman against the background of the development of mycoplasma infections, it is urgent to undergo an examination and begin treatment. It is also required to determine the level of sensitivity to antibiotics. Thanks to this, you can choose the most effective and safe treatment for the fetus.
Pregnant women who have had an active sex life often have mycoplasma infection. Treatment includes antibacterial drugs (see above), as well as those drugs that increase immunity ("Cycloferon", "Timogen"). As a rule, the patient’s sexual partner also needs to be examined. Control tests can be passed a month after the initiation of treatment. Sexual contact is ruled out until complete recovery.
Respiratory infection
Mycoplasma respiratory infection is an acute disease of the upper respiratory tract. Often, patients have pneumonia. The source of the disease is a person who is a carrier of infection or is in an acute stage. The transmission of microorganisms is through the air. Possible infection through household items. It is worth noting that people with Down syndrome are most susceptible to the disease.
Mycoplasma respiratory tract infection of the respiratory type is a fairly common disease. Most often it develops in the cold season. Infections are prone to people who are often in large groups. The development of the disease proceeds rather slowly. Often there is a combination of mycoplasma and viral infection.
Respiratory mycoplasma infection requires complete isolation from healthy people. The incubation period can be from a week to a month, depending on the severity of the disease. A respiratory infection sometimes occurs under the guise of acute respiratory viral infection or pneumonia. In adult patients, the following symptoms are observed:
1. Slight chills.
2. Weakness.
3. A sharp headache.
Children with respiratory infections may experience a dry cough, runny nose, and sore throat.
It is impossible to distinguish mycoplasmal respiratory diseases from acute respiratory viral infections and influenza according to their general symptoms. A whole series of research is needed. If mycoplasma infection is confirmed, it is necessary to take tests for the presence of HIV. This is not accidental, because such a disease often develops against the background of immunodeficiency.
The advanced stage of mycoplasma respiratory infection can lead to other diseases, such as pleurisy, myocarditis and encephalitis. For the treatment of this disease, etiotropic therapy and antibiotics are used. The duration of the course of taking drugs directly depends on their effectiveness on the body of a particular patient. Medicines for the prevention of this disease do not exist.
Chlamydial infection. Pneumonia and conjunctivitis in newborns
Chlamydia-mycoplasma infection is a common disease of the neonatal period. It is characterized by the absence of clinical symptoms. Chlamydia-mycoplasma infection can lead to the development of malnutrition, jaundice and cardiopathy. Infection of the child occurs during childbirth. The risk of developing chlamydial-mycoplasma diseases directly depends on the method of delivery and the duration of the anhydrous regimen.
In some cases, the newborn may experience other infections that are formed against the background of chlamydial-mycoplasma disease. In such cases, the condition of the child is diagnosed as severe.
Conjunctivitis is one of the most common diseases that occur against the background of a complication of chlamydial-mycoplasma infection. The first signs can be observed immediately after birth, after three days or a few weeks. Clinical manifestations include the formation of mucous and purulent discharge from both eyes. Only a specialist can diagnose the disease, having the results of the study. The complications of conjunctivitis include a sharp decrease in vision, which often does not respond to treatment.
Chlamydia-mycoplasma infection can cause pneumonia in a newborn. The first signs of the disease appear at least two weeks after birth. These include cough, respiratory failure, malnutrition, intoxication and toxic cardiopathy.
Often, chlamydial-mycoplasma infection can cause liver damage, namely fetal hepatitis. The disease causes the development of tissue defects.
Chlamydial mycoplasma type infection. CNS damage in a newborn
Often, a chlamydial-mycoplasma type infection can cause disorders of the central nervous system in newborns. From the first days of life, such children have hypotrophy. This disease causes difficulties in diagnosing. This is not accidental, because the symptoms present are often mistaken for the consequences of the fetal hypoxia. To establish the diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a study of samples of cerebrospinal fluid.
Chlamydial mycoplasma infection. Gastroenteropathy in the newborn
Gastroenteropathy is a rare form of chlamydial infection in a newborn. It is found infrequently. It manifests itself in the form of intestinal syndrome and conjunctivitis. Such a disease can cause intestinal obstruction. If gastroenteropathy is suspected, the child needs a number of studies. First of all, it is necessary to take the blood of a newborn for analysis. In the future, it will be directed to PCR diagnostics.
In the presence of infection in the mother, pregnancy is difficult. Often, the possibility of spontaneous miscarriage can be diagnosed.
Mycoplasmosis in men
Mycoplasma infection in men is less common than in women. The consequence of this disease is infertility. There are also cases when the infection affects the kidneys and causes inflammatory processes in them.
The development of infection in men can cause urethritis. Such a disease is characterized by inflammation of the urethra. The first signs of urethritis are discharge from the genital canals and pain or burning sensation when urinating. It is worth noting that such a disease can occur not only in men, but also in women.
The cause of urethritis is a genital infection. Often in the morning, the patient can observe a discharge of a green tint from the urethra. In men, the first signs of the disease are more noticeable than in women. In case you notice the first signs of urethritis in yourself, you must urgently consult a specialist. Often the patient has no symptoms. In this case, the disease can only be diagnosed if there are test results.
Mycoplasma infection in cats
Not only in humans, but also in cats, mycoplasma infection occurs. Symptoms of such a disease should be known to every owner of the animal. You can find them in our article.
Mycoplasmosis is a disease that affects the entire body of an animal. Most often it occurs in females. Symptoms of mycoplasma infection in cats include sneezing, coughing and nasal discharge. The first signs are often confused with the common cold. For this reason, in the presence of the above symptoms, it is imperative to consult a veterinarian.
Mycoplasma infection in cats has been treated for a long time. In order to get rid of the disease in a short time, you need to contact a specialist as soon as possible.
To summarize
Mycoplasma infection occurs not only in people of all age categories, but also in animals. In the absence of proper treatment, patients may develop complications. As a rule, in the presence of infection, the patient is isolated from healthy people. The incubation period depends on the severity of the disease in a particular patient. In the presence of the first signs of the disease, it is urgent to contact a specialist. Be healthy!