Unstoppable 'Cough Cough'... The disease with symptoms similar to whooping cough is spreading
The outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among children and adolescents continues to persist. This disease initially presents with symptoms similar to a cold, but the cough can last from a few weeks to several months. The medical community estimates that the outbreak may last about a year due to factors such as decreased antibiotic resistance, and they are advising the use of second-line antibiotics and strict adherence to quarantine and hygiene protocols.
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria called 'Mycoplasma.' Last month, during the third week, there were 486 hospitalized patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia, which is 1.7 times higher than the 286 patients in the fourth week of May. Since the beginning of this year until the third week of last month, the total number of hospitalized patients across 220 medical institutions participating in nationwide sample surveillance was 1,451, which is 7.8 times higher than the 185 patients during the same period last year.
The number of hospitalized patients by age group shows that children and adolescents aged 1 to 12 account for 1,128 out of a total of 1,451 patients, making up 77.7%. Adults can also contract this disease, so chronic respiratory patients, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems cannot rest assured.
Professor Shim Jung-yeon of the Department of Pediatrics at Gangbuk Samsung Hospital said, "Mycoplasma pneumonia initially presents with sore throat, fever, and other cold-like symptoms, and a cough begins after a day or two," adding, "What distinguishes it from a simple cold is that the fever and cough persist over time, and there is a decrease in appetite."
He added, "Even after the fever subsides, coughs can persist for weeks to months and may become a cause of chronic cough."
Additionally, this disease may be accompanied by symptoms other than pneumonia, such as skin rashes like hives, abdominal pain, vomiting, anemia, meningitis, and encephalitis.
It is similar to whooping cough in that the cough persists for a long time. However, Mycoplasma pneumonia is accompanied by a high fever above 38°C in the early stages, whereas whooping cough does not show mild fever below 37.5°C or fever symptoms.
Mycoplasma pneumonia has historically caused outbreaks in Korea approximately every 3 to 4 years. However, due to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the cycle is becoming shorter, highlighting the need for greater vigilance.
Professor Sim advised, "If symptoms such as fever and cough do not improve or if pneumonia does not improve or worsens on chest radiographs after 48 to 72 hours of administering the first-line antibiotic for Mycoplasma pneumonia, macrolides, consider resistance to macrolides and switch to a second-line antibiotic."
Most cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia have a good clinical course. However, in the case of macrolide-resistant bacteria, if appropriate treatment is not administered, pleural effusion or respiratory difficulty may occur. Additionally, if an excessive immune response to the bacteria causes a prolonged fever, the use of immunosuppressants such as steroids should also be considered.
Professor Sim emphasized, "When a patient occurs within the school or family, new pneumonia cases can arise every 1 to 3 weeks," and stressed that "maintaining personal hygiene by wearing masks and washing hands regularly is more important than anything else."
The following are everyday prevention methods for Mycoplasma pneumonia proposed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
▲Routine preventive measures for Mycoplasma pneumonia
Wash your hands with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds.
2. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
3. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
4. Seek medical attention and rest when experiencing respiratory symptoms
Avoid contact with people during symptoms
6. Use patients, towels, and water cups separately.