In the face of the increase in cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children, pediatric experts in the hospital said-
If fever is present, the causative agent should be identified before taking medication
◎ Reporter Dai Xiaopei
Recently, Jiang Yue, the attending physician of pediatrics at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, has been busy from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. "Compared with the same period in previous years, our pediatric patients have increased by about three times, and the number of children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has also increased significantly." Jiang Yue said.
Hui Qin, deputy chief physician of the Department of Pediatrics at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, also felt the same way: "In October, the number of pediatric outpatient clinics in the China-Japan Friendship Hospital reached 10,17291, which was about three times more than the same period in previous years. Among them, more than 3% of children suffer from respiratory diseases, and more than one-third of the people infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. ”
Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia is the most common community-acquired pneumonia in children aged 5 years and above in China, and infection in young children is not uncommon. According to reports, the number of cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children in hospitals in many places has increased significantly compared with previous years.
According to the analysis of Hui Qin and Jiang Yue, there are two main reasons for the significant increase in the number of children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae: First, this year coincides with the epidemic year of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Mycoplasma pneumoniae occurs approximately every 4-7 years, with a minor epidemic every 2-3 years. 2019 was the peak of the epidemic of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and it is in line with the law of nature that the epidemic peak will occur again this year. The second is caused by environmental factors. In autumn and winter, the temperature is low, the environment is dry, and the mucosal barrier of the respiratory tract is weak, which can easily lead to a decrease in immunity, and respiratory pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae are more likely to spread.
Mild symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection are fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, etc., while severe cases are characterized by persistent high fever, shortness of breath, cough and wheezing, and imaging shows a wide range of lung involvement, and hypoxemia appears. "If you have a fever for a short time, don't be too nervous, unless you have convulsions, dyspnea or symptoms other than the respiratory system, and you need to see a doctor; If you have a high fever for more than 3 consecutive days, you have poor spirit, poor appetite, rapid breathing, and blood oxygen is less than 94%, you have to go to the hospital. ”
For Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, targeted treatment is generally given. Hui Qin told reporters that at present, macrolide antibacterial drugs (such as roxithromycin and azithromycin) are the preferred drugs for the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. However, with the widespread use of macrolides in respiratory tract infections in children in recent years, the drug resistance rate of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is on the rise. "Therefore, clinically, if the child is over 8 years old, new tetracycline antimicrobial drugs (such as doxycycline, minocycline) can also be considered, which are effective against drug-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia." Hui Qin said.
"After being infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, the vast majority of children have no sequelae, and only a few people have sequelae, such as chronic bronchiolitis obliterans." Hui Qin added, "If a child with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is infected with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus and other viruses, it is more likely to develop into severe cases, and corresponding anti-infective treatment should be taken as soon as possible." ”
Hui Qin reminded that now that the number of pediatric patients in major hospitals is large and the waiting time is long, parents can prepare some Mycoplasma pneumoniae detection antigens for initial screening, and if they are negative, they can avoid blindly using macrolide antibacterial drugs. "In addition to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, symptoms such as fever and cough may also be caused by other pathogens, and the pathogen should be identified as much as possible before taking medication."
For the prevention of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, Hui Qin suggested: "Drink plenty of water, keep your skin clean, wash your hands frequently, open windows frequently for ventilation, but don't let the wind blow directly on children, don't go to crowded public places, wear masks, appropriate outdoor activities, increase or decrease clothing in time when climate changes, warm hands and feet, no sweat, and ensure rest." (Science and Technology Daily)