Mycoplasma that causes pneumonia may be resistant to some antibiotics
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IN THE RISK AREA – LUNGS
– Elena Nikolaevna, what kind of pneumonia is there?
– Pneumonia is an inflammatory disease of the lungs that can be caused by various microorganisms, mainly bacteria (pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, mycoplasma) and viruses (influenza virus, RS virus, coronavirus).
– So what is mycoplasma pneumonia? How is it different from other types of pneumonia?
– Mycoplasma pneumonia is an infectious disease of the lungs, caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which are the smallest free-living intracellular microorganisms that can cause diseases in humans, most common in children and young people. Because of their very small size and location inside cells, sometimes drugs cannot reach them.
It is important to note that mycoplasma pneumonia can have symptoms similar to other types of pneumonia (cough, chest pain, fever, weakness and fatigue), so a doctor should be consulted for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT DIFFICULTIES
– Why is mycoplasma pneumonia considered dangerous, what are the difficulties of its course and treatment?
– Mycoplasma pneumonia is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can be similar to those of other respiratory infections. This may delay the start of treatment and increase the risk of complications.
In some people, this pneumonia may be chronic or come back after a brief recovery.
The mycoplasma that causes pneumonia may be resistant to some antibiotics, making effective treatment difficult. Sometimes combined therapy is required. Modern drugs that activate a specific immune response and help increase the effectiveness of antibacterial therapy, for example, Rafamine, can help antibiotics.
Treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia usually involves the use of antibiotics such as macrolides or tetracyclines. However, as already mentioned, resistance to some drugs is possible, so it may be necessary to supplement the treatment regimen with drugs that activate the recognition and destruction of the microorganism both outside and inside the cells.
HOW TO KNOW YOU ARE HEALTHY
– Are there ways to protect yourself from this disease, from mycoplasma pneumonia?
– First of all, try to avoid places where many people gather indoors, especially if they are coughing or sneezing.
Support your immune system: Eating well, being physically active, getting enough sleep, and managing stress will help keep your immune system in good shape.
– How do you understand that therapy for mycoplasma pneumonia is as effective as possible and that you are doing everything possible to recover quickly?
– The main indicators of the effectiveness of mycoplasma pneumonia treatment include improvement in symptoms, as well as normalization of laboratory parameters such as white blood cell count and C-reactive protein. The doctor will monitor these indicators and evaluate the condition.
It is also important to follow all of your doctor’s recommendations and complete your course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better. This will help prevent relapses or complications.
IMPORTANT!
Is it possible to cure pneumonia without antibiotics?
“In the case of mild pneumonia, caused by a virus and not requiring hospitalization, the doctor may recommend symptomatic treatment,” explains Elena Popova. – If the cause of pneumonia is bacterial, treatment with antibiotics is required. Keep in mind that if pneumonia is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not be effective.
