What is mycoplasma infection? Mycoplasma is a special microorganism different from bacteria or viruses, and school-age children or adolescents are its susceptible group. This pathogen can tolerate low temperatures and is mainly spread by respiratory droplets. In addition, indoor ventilation is reduced in winter, so small-scale epidemics tend to occur in cold weather in places where children gather, such as schools or classes. What are the signs of mycoplasma infection? The symptoms of mycoplasma infection are varied, and can have typical symptoms such as high fever and severe cough, but can also have a sore throat, runny nose, wheezing, low fever and other “cold”-like manifestations, and older children are prone to headache, muscle pain, joint pain, loss of appetite and other systemic symptoms. Therefore, parents should not blindly judge whether their children are infected and treat them at home without permission, but should take them to the doctor for professional advice. How is Mycoplasma pneumonia treated? The familiar cephalosporin antibiotics are ineffective in treating mycoplasma infections. Effective drugs include erythromycin, azithromycin, tetracycline, streptomycin and chloramphenicol. However, children are in the growth and development stage and need to avoid irreversible side effects of certain drugs, therefore, azithromycin is the best choice, followed by erythromycin. In recent years, the rate of mycoplasma resistance has gradually increased, and certain children with severe disease are treated with memantine or rifampicin. A subset of children may even be treated with short-term hormones. The use of intravenous infusions or oral medications, the length of treatment, specific medication choices, and inpatient or community-based treatment need to be chosen based on the child’s condition, and the response to treatment should be monitored and revised in real time. Parents need to note that the course of azithromycin, there will be a certain number of days between “stopping” the drug, at this time the accumulated drugs in the body is still working, not than too nervous. Some parents think that if their children don’t have a fever and cough, they can stop taking the medication, but this is a mistake. How do I care for my child with mycoplasma pneumonia? Children with Mycoplasma pneumonia generally have a prominent cough. They should not blindly take cough medicines, but should actively turn over and pat their backs to expel phlegm, and families with conditions can undergo nebulization therapy, and families without conditions can humidify the air, but pay attention to opening windows and keeping the air clean to prevent pathogens from multiplying under humid conditions. Prevention of mycoplasma pneumonia Most children, in their adolescence, will be infected with mycoplasma several times, but depending on the constitution and pathogen virulence, not all may develop into pneumonia, the vast majority of home treatment can be cured. As they get older and approach adulthood, they are rich in antibodies and are basically immune to further infections. However, unlike streptococcal pneumonia or influenza, there is still no effective vaccine to diagnose mycoplasma. Paying attention to home hygiene in winter, intermittently opening windows for ventilation, exercising to enhance physical fitness, and avoiding contact with sick people are effective means of prevention.