The increase in cases of respiratory diseases, observed in China, particularly among children, could be linked to a bacteria called mycoplasma pneumoniae.
- Cases of respiratory diseases are on the rise in China.
- According to the country’s authorities, they are linked in particular to a bacteria called mycoplasma pneumoniae.
- It causes pneumonia, generally of low severity, which mainly affects children.
The incidence of respiratory diseases has been increasing for several weeks in China. Four years after the appearance of Covid-19, the news worries health authorities. L’World Health Organization requested details from the Chinese authorities on Wednesday November 22. According to them, these cases could be linked in particular to a bacteria called mycoplasma pneumoniae. The main victims of the infections it causes? The children.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae: what is this bacteria?
Discovered in 1944, mycoplasma pneumoniae belongs to the mycoplasma family: bacteria that cause respiratory or urogenital infections. According to French microbiology societyit is transmitted by respiratory route “via fine droplets during close human-to-human contact”.
The incubation period, the time between contamination and the appearance of symptoms, can last one to three weeks. “M. pneumoniae mainly affects children and young adults, but can affect all age groupsnotes the SFM. Infections in elderly people tend to be more severe.” In fact, the disease can be serious for people with respiratory illness or those who have a weakened immune system.
According to Centers for Disease Control, American health authorities, epidemics generally occur in busy places such as schools, university residences, hospitals or even military training centers. “During school outbreaks, if community members get sick, they are usually family members of sick students“, they add.
Several epidemics linked to this bacteria have already been observed. According to the SFM, there are “thrusts epidemics” every four to seven years. “Thus, an epidemic outbreak occurred in 2010-2012 in Europe, Israel and Asia, she counts. It affected France between 2010 and 2011.”
What are the symptoms of mycoplasma pneumoniae infection?
In infected people, symptoms are of low severity. This could be cough, fatigue, sore throat or headache, or even a low-grade fever. “The evolution is slow and favorable“, estimates the SFM. For others, there may be more serious forms, which require hospitalization.
But infection with this bacteria causes other, non-pulmonary symptoms. “They are the consequence of direct infectious lesions and/or autoimmune manifestationsindicates the SFM. The most common are dermatological and neurological.“
Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria: how is the disease treated?
In all cases, treatment is based on taking antibiotics such as roxithromycin, azithormycin or clarithromycin. “The duration of treatment varies between 5 and 15 days depending on the molecule used, the shortest durations concerning treatments based on azithromycin., underlines the SFM. Prevention requires protection. Infected people should wear a mask if they have symptoms and wash their hands regularly.
