Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Contagious

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The term “walking pneumonia” sounds like a scary term. Though this type of

pneumonia could make an individual miserable, it is really the least scariest 

type of pneumonia. That is due to it being a pneumonia  that is mild and 

doesn’t usually need any hospitalization. Indeed, you might possess this type 

of pneumonia and not even realize it.

What exactly is this term walking pneumonia?

This type of pneumonia describes a mild instance of pneumonia. Additionally, 

this could be referred to as atypical pneumonia due to the disease varying 

from the more serious pneumonia instances which are caused by some typical 

bacteria.

A disease of the lungs, pneumonia oftentimes results from a lung infection. A 

lot of things could trigger pneumonia, involving:

-bacteria

-additional infectious agents, like mycoplasma

-inhaled food

-viruses

-fungi

-chemicals

Walking pneumonia will oftentimes be the result of a lung infection from 

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterial microorganism.

Individuals who possess walking pneumonia will seldom be confined to a bed or 

require hospitalization. A few individuals might be feeling well enough to go 

to their job and continue with their standard routine, just like they would 

when they have a common cold.

How’s it spread and who can obtain this type of pneumonia?

Anybody at all ages could obtain walking pneumonia, though this type of 

pneumonia from mycoplasma pneumoniae will be more popular within older kids 

and adults who are younger than forty years old.

Individuals who work and live within crowded places, like homeless shleters, 

prisons and schools have a larger risk of obtaining this disease. That is due 

to walking pneumonia being contagious. It is spread as somebody comes within 

touch with droplets from the throat and nose of somebody who possesses it. 

This usually occurs as an individual who has walking pneumonia coughs or 

sneezes.

Instances of this type of pneumonia are more popular within the late fall and 

summer. Yet, infections could happen with no specific pattern through the 

year. Although this disease will be contagious, it’ll spread very slowly. A 

contagious duration within most instances will last under ten days. 

Researchers additionally believe it takes a long period of close contact with 

the infected individual for somebody else to get walking pneumonia; but still, 

there includes widespread outbreaks each 4 to 8 years. As those outbreaks 

happen, walking pneumonia accounts for as much as 1 out of each 2 pneumonia 

instances.

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae in Children

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Located within the throats of the infected people, mycoplasma includes a 

contagious bacterium which might lead to your kid experiencing a whole range 

of respiratory complications and symptoms after infection. Familiarizing 

yourself with some facts concerning mycoplasma infection within children can 

assist you in reducing your child’s opportunities of obtaining this type of 

health condition. Crowded group tasks within schools can contribute to the 

youngster’s risk of getting mycoplasma.

Facts

Commonly referred to as mycoplasma, the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae could 

lead to a lung infection within individuals of every age, yet happens more 

abundantly within school-aged kids as well as younger adults. According to the 

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), mycoplasma leads to more 

instances of pneumonia within school-aged kids than all other infections. 

Infection happens following your child coming within contact with the 

respiratory fluids of the individual who is infected, oftentimes through 

coughing and sneezing; the incubation duration might last up to 4 weeks.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of mycoplasma usually occur following the incubation duration of 

an infection. Kids underneath the age of five oftentimes show either very mild 

symptoms or no symptoms at all, according to the Maryland Community Health 

Administration. The symptoms oftentimes involve sore throat, chest pains, 

excess fatigue, headache, a dry cough, fever as well as bronchitis. The 

child’s symptoms might last for only 3 days or up to 4 weeks, depending on the 

infection’s severity.

The Complications

The mycoplasma infection oftentimes results within pneumonia as well as 

infections of the middle ear. Pneumonia that results from the mycoplasma 

infection is oftentimes called “walking pneumonia,” since it’s not usually 

severe, according to the New York State Department. Be sure to follow the 

physician’s treatment instructions perfectly to minimize the child’s 

opportunities of having the pneumonia become worse. The middle ear infection 

will be characterized by the occurence of ear pain as well as excessive 

agitation and must be treated immediately in order to decrease the 

opportunities of obtaining loss of hearing.

Treatment and Diagnosis

Depending on the youngster’s symptoms as well as the results of the physical 

examintion, a physician might do a blood testing to check the cause of an 

infection. If the doctor suspects the mycoplasma pneumonia, he’ll probably 

also perform a chest X-ray. As mycoplasma includes a bacterium, the 

youngster’s physician will usually utilize an antibiotic for the treatment. 

Though antibiotics could relieve the child’s symptoms, the bacteria itself 

might stay within the youngster’s throat for weeks. Additional vital comfort 

steps involve lots of fluids and rest.

Prevention

Performing excellent hygiene should go a long way within keeping the kid from 

getting the mycoplasma infection. Teach the child to wash his hands a lot, 

cover his mouth while coughing, as well as utilize a tissue while blowing his 

nose. A single huge risk factor of getting the mycoplasma infection will be 

crowded conditions like the ones within a school; staying away from crowded 

school functions as probable, particularly within the late fall and summer, 

decreases the kid’s opportunities of getting the mycoplasma infection.

What is Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

Mycoplasma pneumoniae represents a tiny in its size bacterium that belongs to 

the class Mollicutes. The organisms adherent to this class have a peculiar 

feature: they do not have a peptidoglycan cell wall that is common for all 

other firmicute bacteria. At the same time Mycoplasma pneumoniae possesses a 

three layer cell membrane that includes cholesterol compounds, resembling 

eukaryotic cells. Since the organisms do not have a cell wall, they are not 

prone to the influence of penicillins and other beta-lactam antibiotics that 

are known for their ability to damage and eliminate the bacterial cell wall.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is known for having one of the smallest genomes ever 

existed. Its genome includes only 816 kilobase pairs (kbs). There has been 

carried out comprehensive description of its genome and proteome. It is known 

that there is some unique genetic code it employs. This code turns out to have 

more in common with mitochondria than with other bacteria. There is no 

cellular machinery that could produce many vital compounds. It means that it 

represents an obligate parasite. There can be no mycoplasma that is free-

living. From this point of view, mycoplasma is closer to viruses than to 

bacteria.

The spreading of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is carried out in a way of respiratory 

droplet transmission. When it gets stuck to the mucosa of a host organism, M. 

pneumonia begins to withdraw nutrients, gets larger and replicates with the 

help of binary fission. It usually sticks to the mucosa in the upper and lower 

respiratory tract. This leads to the development of such diseases as 

pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.

The type of infection that is brought about by this bacterium is called 

atypical pneumonia. This is due to the fact that it has a protracted course 

and does not produce sputum and causes a number of extra-pulmonary symptoms. 

As far as chronic mycoplasma infections are concerned, they have been linked 

to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatological 

diseases.

As of now, the results of researches conducted all over the world show that 

the diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae could be considered to be reliable only 

when found together with bronchial wall thickening as well as centrilobular 

nodules in the CT findings. At the same time, these CT findings have not been 

detected in patients, who suffer from progressed severe pneumonia caused by 

Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

As effective means of treatment can serve second generation macrolide 

antibiotics and second generation quinolones. Severity of the disease caused 

by mycoplasma can range from mild to moderate.

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infections

There are special tests that represent quantitative and qualitative 

immunoassays conducted with the purpose of identifying human antibodies that 

are directed against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This helps to define 

immunoglobulin classes individuals possess. This, in turn, gives necessary 

information about exposure to pathogen and disease state.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections lead to the development of a whole number of 

respiratory syndromes. Some of them are ordinary and even trivial, others pose 

a danger to a patient’s life. They mainly reveal themselves in the form of 

primary atypical pneumonia, pharyngitis and tracheobronchitis. According to 

the statistics, around 20% out of the total number of ambulatory cases of 

pneumonia that occur in the USA are caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. 

Thus, the frequency of infection is pretty high.

In case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, such as RSV-, Influenza Virus-

infections, the process of the causal agent detection can present significant 

difficulties because of the wide range of clinical symptoms, especially when 

there is atypical pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumoniae settles in epithelia of the 

trachea, bronchia and bronchiolae. After the initial period that can last for 

10—20 days, there appear non-specific symptoms like headache and fever 

together with a non-productive, dry cough. With time, the infection can cause 

the development of an interstitial pneumonia.

In case of older children and young adults Mycoplasma pneumoniae is held 

accountable for approximately 15—20% of ambulant obtained cases of pneumonia. 

Super infections with Mycoplasma pneumoniae are considered to be common in 

children and go after viral and bacterial infections.

When patients are children under 5, there can be observed no symptoms of 

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. In some cases the revealed symptoms can be 

assigned to mild symptoms of the respiratory tract. Since immunity after 

infection is not complete, this can lead to infections being repeated and they 

can become even more severe.

As there is usually a wide range of clinical symptoms as well as probable 

causal agents, diagnosis should include not only the clinical picture. It is 

of great importance to resort to serological and direct detection 

methodologies that are necessary for defining the pathogen that is hold 

accountable. This will make it possible to use the right medical intervention 

strategies.

The CFT has been employed in Mycoplasma pneumoniae diagnosis for a long time 

already. At the same time, its disadvantage is low specificity as it works on 

the LPS that has the cross-reactive nature. As far as ELISA tests are 

concerned, they are more specific in terms of antigen preparations that are 

capable of distinguishing immunoglobulin classes. Thus, they produce better 

diagnostic value of the results.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae: general information

It is known that Mycoplasma pneumoniae very often leads to community-acquired 

pneumonia. In fact, the development of the disease is lengthy and gradual.

The first time Mycoplasma pneumoniae was obtained was in 1898. It was done in 

cattle affected by pleuropneumonia. In the year 1938, the first case of man 

being affected by mycoplasmal pneumonia was accounted by Reimann. He checked 7 

patients in Philadelphia, who had obvious constitutional symptoms, upper and 

lower respiratory tract symptoms, and a protracted course with gradual 

resolution. Reimann named the disease “primary atypical pneumonia”.

Some years later, in 1943, a new phenomenon was found by Peterson. The 

scientist made a discovery of cold agglutinin. He also found high titers of 

cold agglutinins in those, who suffered from that type of pneumonia. A year 

later, a specific agent was discovered by Eaton. The agent was named after the 

scientist. So Eaton’s agent was identified as the main trigger of primary 

atypical pneumonia. Initially, it was regarded as a virus. However, in 1961 

Eaton’s agent was detected as a Mycoplasma species.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae represents a pleomorphic organism, which is different 

from bacteria in a way that it does not have a cell wall. It is also different 

from viruses for it does not use a host cell in order to replicate. The 

disease is usually accompanied by the prolonged paroxysmal cough, which is 

considered to be caused by the inhibition of ciliary movement.

One of the specific characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is its high 

gliding motility as well as peculiar filamentous tips end. These specific 

properties enable the organism to hide between cilia inside the respiratory 

epithelium. This in the end results in making the respiratory epithelial cells 

slough.

Another two qualities the organism possesses are held accountable for its 

pathogenicity in humans. Firstly, it is characterized by a selective affinity 

for respiratory epithelial cells. Secondly, it is capable of generating 

hydrogen peroxide. The latter is the major cause of the initial cell 

disruption within the respiratory tract as well as for destroying erythrocyte 

membranes.

The pathogenicity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is proved to be connected with the 

activation of inflammatory mediators, such cytokines, for instance.

It should be said that in the majority of cases patients with the pneumonia 

recover without developing any serious complications. However, Mycoplasma 

pneumoniae sometimes leads to severe pneumonia in children. In addition, it 

has been proved lately to be connected with acute chest syndrome that develops 

in those patients, who suffer from sickle cell anemia.

Immune response to Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Mycoplasma pneumoniae has protein as well as glycolipid antigens that provoke 

antibody responses in those who are affected by the infection. One of the most 

common aims pursued by many antibodies generated by the host in response to 

the Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is P1 protein. After an initial infection 

the immune system starts quickly generating antibodies. The peak comes in 3 to 

6 weeks time. Then a decline is observed that can last for months and even 

years. Since the incubation period is rather longish, the response to 

antibodies can be observed when the symptoms reveal themselves.

The rise in Mycoplasma pneumoniae-specific IgM in the majority of cases can be 

regarded as a sign of severe infection, for it emerges within the first week 

of the incubation period and about a couple of weeks before IgG antibody does. 

At the same time, it is more applicable in pediatric populations when there is 

a minimal chance of repeated exposures. In case with adults who have been 

endured infections repeatedly it can happen that they will not have any 

reaction to mycoplasma antigens with a quick IgM response. Thus, reinfection 

causes an IgG response.

There is also IgA antibody, which is often underestimated and not paid 

attention to in the process of diagnosis. However, it can be more efficient in 

identifying recent infections in groups of all ages. This type of antibodies 

is generated in the early stage of the disease. It is also by a rapid 

elevation to peak levels, and decline that happens before that of IgM or IgG.

Apart from Mycoplasma pneumoniae-specific antibodies, there is a whole row of 

cross-reactive antibodies that can appear during Mycoplasma pneumoniae 

infection. There is an extensive sequence homology of the Mycoplasma 

pneumoniae adhesin proteins and glycolipids of the cell membrane with 

mammalian tissues. They are able to cause autoimmune disorders that affect 

multiple organ systems in a way of creating antibodies against such substances 

as myosin, keratin, fibrinogen, brain, liver, kidney, smooth muscle, and lung 

tissues.

There are also a number of acid homologies with human CD4 and class II major 

histocompatibility complex lymphocyte proteins. They function as producers of 

autoreactive antibodies and causers of cellular damage and immune system 

suppressors.

Infection caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae also includes specific T-cell-

mediated immunity. Thus, lymphocytes from persons who have already had the 

infection earlier, will be subjected to blast transformation in case of 

Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Leukocytes from those who suffer from Mycoplasma 

pneumoniae infections will also have chemotaxis symptoms when the organism is 

present. In this case, a person will have a response in the form of IFN- 

presence in the blood.

How to treat infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

It is strange enough that in order to cure a mycoplasma infection caused by 

Mycoplasma pneumoniae one should do it via his own immune response, 

particularly the complement system. It is known that B-lactam antibiotics are 

helpless and useless in this situation. It is connected with the fact that B-

lactams, similar to penicillin, perform their actions only on the cell wall, 

which is absent in Mycoplasma pneumoniae. However, polyene antibiotics that 

help to combat cholesterols in the membrane of mycoplasma, can also prove 

effective in the fight against the plasma membrane of the host cells.

The complement system, we referred to above, represents a cascade of proteins 

that is usually presented in the tissue or the blood of a host. It is involved 

in antigen-antibody reactions that result in cell lysis.

Membrane attack complex that eradicates the bacteria can be carried out in 

four ways: through opsonization, cell lysis, inflammotary response and 

chemoattraction of neutrophils.

It is known that it is always better to prevent a disease than to cure it. 

Unfortunately, there is too little information about a mycoplasma infection 

prevention available so far. There is only one common sense thing that you can 

do. It is to wash your hands often and not to be in close contact with those 

who have the infection.

It is not necessarily that human hosts affected by Mycoplasma pneumoniae will 

cause pneumonia. But the virulence this bacterium possesses is connected with 

the lipid-associated membrane proteins that are on the cell surface. The 

specific polar tip organelles that is necessary for mediating stickiness to 

host cells is presented by an organized interaction between such elements as 

designated adhesions, interactive proteins and adherence-accessory proteins. 

When adhesions are gathered at the tip of the structure, this enables 

mycoplasma to settle in mucous membranes and eukaryotic cell surfaces. 

According to some research, particular mycoplasma species can be commensal to 

healthy people.

There is also an opinion that Mycoplasma pneumoniae is capable of serving as a 

medium for bringing other diseases as well into its immune response 

monopolization. There has been observed the emergence of other severe 

bacterial as well as viral infections in patients who have Mycoplasma 

pneumoniae infection. It is supposed to be caused by the specific environment 

that can conducted to other organisms in one of the following ways: 

anatomically, physiologically, and/or immunologically. This will, in turn, 

lead to invasion and disruption of cells.

BE INFORMED ABOUT PNEUMONIA!

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a respiratory lung infection which is caused by a 

bacteria of the same name, Mycoplasma pneumoniae or M. pneumoniae. It is also 

recognized as atypical pneumonia or walking pneumonia.

This strain of pneumonia usually presents itself in people younger than 40 

years of age. Some studies show that M. pneumoniae shows up in 20-50% of adult 

pneumonia cases and even more in the younger school age population. This 

infection is most common in summer and fall.

You can spread the mycoplasma germ through droplets from the nose and the 

throat and through the sneeze of an infected person. This does not happen 

immediately and is believed to need prolonged contact with these infected 

people. People that work or live in crowed environments are most at risk. This 

includes homeless shelters, factories, institutions and schools. The 

contagious period is believed to be 10-14 days. If you have been exposed to 

these bacteria, the symptoms will usually occur within 15-30 days. They will 

appear slowly over a 2-4 day period.

Some of the typical symptoms of mycoplasma. pneumonia are fever and cough, 

sore throat, tiredness, and headache quite often. Some less frequent symptoms 

that should not be taken lightly are ear and eye pain, lumps in the neck, 

rapid breathing and sometimes a skin rash. These symptoms generally last a 

week, but have been known to persist for a month.

If one is suspected of having this pneumonia, a cold agglutinins test is 

helpful and may be the only test that is required. But if this test is not 

definitive then a thorough medical evaluation will be done which includes a 

complete physical exam and chest x-rays. If satisfaction is not reached from 

these tests, a complete blood count (CBC), bronchoscopy, sputum culture and 

urine test may be ordered.

If you have been diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia, the chances that you 

will get it again are rare, but occasionally it does happen. It is nice to 

know though, that the symptoms are much milder the second time around.

The main treatment for mycoplasma pneumonia is antibiotics such as 

erythromycin, or clarithromycin. If the symptoms are mild, antibiotics may not 

be recommended. Home treatment of plenty of liquids, plenty of rest and a high 

protein diet may be all that is recommended for mild cases.

Most people recover completely from mycoplasma. pneumonia without antibiotics, 

but antibiotics speed up the process. At this time there is no known vaccine 

prevention for this pneumonia, so the best prevention would be to try to avoid 

people and situations where you know the problem may exist. As with many 

contagious illnesses, the elderly, people in poor health, and people with poor 

immune systems should avoid contact with known mycoplasma pneumonia carriers.

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a specific type of atypical pneumonia. Mycoplasma 

pneumonia is a bacterial infection in the respiratory tract and in this case, 

it is caused by the bacteria called mycoplasma pneumoniae. This is a 

“Community Acquired Pneumonia” which means it is usually caught by being in 

public and exposed to others who have the pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumonia is 

considered to be a somewhat mild infection, but the symptoms can linger if the 

pneumonia is not treated correctly and quickly.

Pneumonia that is an inflammation in the lungs caused by the bacteria 

mycoplasma pneumoniae is sometimes referred to as “walking pneumonia”. Since 

the condition is fairly mild, many people go about their daily business, not 

realizing they are actually sick. That is the reason it is called walking 

pneumonia. This form of pneumonia doesn’t usually confine sufferers to bed, 

but it can be annoying and severe because it can last a long time.

Mycoplasma pneumonia can be very contagious. Sneezing, coughing, and even 

laughing and talking can cause the bacteria to become airborne. However, 

exposure to the bacteria does not necessarily mean you will develop the lung 

infection.

Mycoplasma pneumonia most often affects younger people, usually between the 

ages of 5 to 16. Two million people a year in the United State contract this 

form of pneumonia. The symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia can take as much as 

two weeks to manifest themselves after exposure to the bacteria and the 

symptoms resemble those of a common cold. For this reason, treatment is often 

delayed. Mycoplasma pneumonia generally starts with the sense that you have no 

energy and feeling extremely exhausted. Before this period, the disease does 

not show any significant symptoms. Eventually other symptoms will begin to 

manifest. The most common symptoms are fever and chills, sweating, difficulty 

breathing, sore throat, and sometimes headaches. A dry cough is a very common 

symptom. Occasionally, the pneumonia can even cause a rash.

Once you realize that something is wrong you should get to the doctor. A mild 

case is generally treated with antibiotics. If after completing the round of 

antibiotics prescribed, you are still experiencing the symptoms, the doctor 

may give you a stronger prescription or recommend hospitalization.

Bacterial Pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia is an infection which causes inflammation of the lungs. 

Although there are several types of pneumonia such as viral pneumonia and 

aspiration pneumonia, the most common pneumonia is caused by a single celled 

organism, or bacteria, called streptococcus pneumoniae.

Bacterial pneumonia is easily contracted by the elderly whose immune systems 

are weakened due to age or disease. Pneumonia is also more common in babies 

under two, because their immune systems are still immature. Individuals with 

depressed immune systems due to serious illness, or those who are 

malnourished, are also at higher risk. Even the healthiest among us can 

contract bacterial pneumonia through our everyday contact with others.

Bacterial pneumonia, if left untreated can cause serious illness and death. 

The onset of symptoms can occur abruptly, often within hours of infection, and 

can lead to fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms may include fatigue, 

shortness of breathe while resting, blueness of the skin, shaking or chills, 

fever, sweating, yellowish or greenish phlegm, and chest pain in either lung 

(lobe) where the infection has occurred. Other symptoms may include cough and 

even blood-stained sputum.

Individuals who suspect pneumonia should see a doctor immediately. The 

physician will most likely listen to their chest, and ask for an x-ray and 

samples of blood and phlegm to make a firm diagnosis of the type and cause of 

the pneumonia. If the doctor determines you have bacterial pneumonia, he will 

prescribe antibiotics orally, or by injection. It is important to follow 

through and to take the entire course of antibiotics prescribed. Depending 

upon the severity of your illness, he or she may ask you to recover at home 

for several weeks, or may admit you to a hospital if you have extreme 

breathlessness, or cyanosis (turning blue).

Bacteria is found everywhere – in the air we breathe, on surfaces we touch 

such as telephones and desktops – and it even lives in our digestive and 

respiratory tracts. A simple way to reduce our chance of infection is by 

washing our hands frequently throughout the day. Hands, wrists, and fingers, 

should be washed vigorously with warm water and regular soap for at least 20 

seconds. Any alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wipe is effective in reducing 

germs if soap and water are not readily available.

Other precautions to avoid pneumonia include eating a nutritious diet to boost 

immune response, by taking restful sleep, and by exercising to improve lung 

function. It is a good idea to quit smoking. Those with COPD, asthma, or with 

compromised immune systems, should take extra precautions to avoid contact 

with those who have colds and flu, because bacterial pneumonia can easily 

follow a viral infection.

It is always a good idea to assist your natural defense mechanisms by taking 

good care of your health and by doing a few preventative measures to avoid 

becoming ill in the first place. The healthier you are, the better chance you 

have, of fighting off the bacterium which cause pneumonia.