Getting to Know Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, the Trigger of Mysterious Pneumonia in China

Mengenal Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, Pemicu Pneumonia Misterius di China

"Getting to Know Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, the Trigger of Mysterious Pneumonia in China"

Dream - The spread of a mysterious pneumonia epidemic that affects children in China has caused uproar and concern among the public. In fact, scientists have discovered this unusual type of pneumonia since the early 1930s. In 1944, they found a bacterium called Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, which is known to be the cause of "atypical" pneumonia. Similarly, the current mysterious pneumonia outbreak is suspected to be caused by Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, also known as M. Pneumoniae.

This disease is considered unusual because its symptoms tend to be milder compared to regular pneumonia, but it can last longer. M. Pneumoniae bacteria have unique characteristics, namely the lack of a rigid cell wall. In addition, these bacteria are resistant to some antibiotics used for treatment. M. Pneumoniae is the smallest organism capable of living and reproducing on its own.

People who are susceptible to Mycoplasma Pneumoniae.

M. Pneumoniae can infect anyone, but the majority occur in young children and school-age children. In addition, those who have just recovered from respiratory illness, individuals with weak immune systems, and people living or working in crowded environments are at high risk of being affected by this infection.

Orang yang Rentan Terkena Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

"Spread of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae"

M. Pneumoniae is a bacteria that attacks the respiratory system, such as the throat and lungs. A person can contract this disease when they are near someone infected with M. Pneumoniae and inhale the same air when the patient coughs or sneezes. However, this bacteria may be more contagious to people who spend a lot of time together.

Getting to Know Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, the Trigger of Mysterious Pneumonia in China

So, this epidemic generally occurs in crowded environments, such as schools, campus dormitories, military training, and hospitals. Currently, many school children are infected because they are in enclosed classrooms throughout the day.

"Symptoms of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae"

Apart from pneumonia, M. pneumoniae can cause various types of respiratory infections, including tracheobronchitis or chest flu. Infections caused by this bacteria tend to be mild.

The symptoms that appear depend on the type of infection. Children infected with M. pneumoniae generally show flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, fatigue, fever, cough for more than a month, and headache. Meanwhile, children under 5 years old may experience symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, watery eyes, wheezing, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pneumonia patients or lung infections usually experience symptoms of fever, cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Generally, symptoms will appear 1-4 weeks after infection.

"Other Complications of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae"

Although M. pneumoniae causes mild infections, this bacterium can also cause and worsen complications of other diseases. Such as severe pneumonia, asthma, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), hemolytic anemia, kidney dysfunction, as well as skin disorders such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Treatment of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

"Some cases of M. pneumoniae infection cannot be cured with antibiotics alone, so some people can recover without needing to use antibiotics. However, doctors still prescribe specific antibiotics for those who experience pneumonia or lung infections caused by M. pneumoniae."

There are various types of antibiotics available to treat pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae, and the use of these antibiotics can help patients recover faster if started early.

Prevention of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

Need to know Dream Friends, you can be infected with M. Pneumoniae bacteria more than once, you know. Although there is no vaccine that can prevent this infection, there are simple ways that you can do to protect yourself from these bacteria.

M. pneumoniae spreads through coughing and sneezing, so it is important to cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and immediately dispose of the tissue in a trash can. Always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a disinfectant if soap and water are not available. This simple behavior can help prevent the spread of infection. Report: Aisyah Cryshanty / Source: cdc.gov

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