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HerbsMed.com
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An Alternative Medicine Network |
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News | Herbs | Acupuncture | Massage | Chinese diet | More… | Common illness | Clinics | Consult specialists |
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| Common Illness
Amebiasis |
Mycoplasma Infection (walking pneumonia, atypical pneumonia) What is mycoplasma infection? Mycoplasma infection refers to a respiratory illness caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a microscopic organism related to bacteria. Who gets mycoplasma infection? Anyone can get the disease, but it most often affects older children and young adults. When do mycoplasma infections occur? Mycoplasma infections occur sporadically throughout the year. Wide-spread community outbreaks may occur at intervals of 4 to 8 years; when this occurs, mycoplasma infection is most common in late summer and fall. How is mycoplasma spread? Mycoplasma is spread through contact with droplets from the nose and throat of infected persons when they cough and sneeze. Transmission is thought to require prolonged close contact with an infected person. Spread in families, schools, and institutions occurs slowly. The contagious period is probably less than 10 days and occasionally longer. What are the symptoms of mycoplasma infection?
Fever How soon after exposure do symptoms appear? Symptoms generally begin 15-25 days after exposure. The symptoms generally develop slowly, over a period of two to four days. How is mycoplasma infection diagnosed? Mycoplasma infection is usually diagnosed on the basis of typical symptoms. A non-specific blood test ("cold agglutinins") is helpful in diagnosis, but is not always positive. The use of more specific laboratory tests is often limited to special outbreak investigations. Does past infection with mycoplasma make a person immune? Immunity after mycoplasma infection does occur, but is not life-long. Second infections are known to occur, although they may be milder. The duration of immunity is unknown. What is the treatment for mycoplasma infection? Antibiotics such as erythromycin or tetracycline are effective treatments. However, because mycoplasma infection is self-limited, antibiotic treatment of mild symptoms is not essential. What can be done to prevent the spread of mycoplasma? At this time there are no vaccines for the prevention of mycoplasma infection and there are no reliably effective measuresfor control. As with any respiratory disease, all persons should cover their face when coughing or sneezing.
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