Can an adult with mycoplasma infection spread it to a child in everyday life?

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is responsible for up to 20% of community-acquired pneumonia cases and has also been implicated in some hospital-based epidemics. Respiratory infections occur mainly in children and young adults, often in settings close to the community, such as boarding schools, colleges, and military bases.

Reports suggest that in some parts of the world, infants may be the dominant group of infections. In some countries, there is no relative increase in incidence in late summer or autumn.The exact incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in the upper respiratory tract is less known, although this type of infection is thought to be common.

1. Mycoplasma pneumoniae spreads through respiratory droplets. Once attached to the mucous membranes of the host organism, Mycoplasma pneumoniae extracts nutrients, grows, and reappears by binary division.

Attachment sites include the upper and lower respiratory tract and can cause pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia, among others.

2 Infection caused by this bacterium, known as its prolonged course and lack of sputum production, is atypical pneumonia. Chronic mycoplasma infection is implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

In the case of mycoplasma infection of the reproductive system, it is only transmitted sexually and not through droplets

3 Macrolides or tetracyclines are usually effective first-line treatments for mycoplasma infections for both simple and more severe community-acquired pneumonia.With empiric treatment, it can be considered necessary to ensure coverage of atypical pathogens.

If a specific cause of pneumonia is found, antimicrobial therapy may be followed by targeting that specific pathogen.

In some countries, macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma pneumoniae is very common, and it appears that tetracyclines (doxycycline or minocycline) may be more effective than macrolides or quinolones.