How to distinguish mycoplasma infection from viral colds

Mycoplasma infection and viral colds are common, and they are mainly distinguished by clinical symptoms, physical examination, and auxiliary examinations.

1. Clinical symptoms: different parts of mycoplasma infection, clinical symptoms will be different, if it is infected respiratory tract, it will generally lead to irritating dry cough. If the urethra is infected, symptoms such as tingling in the urethra may occur. Viral colds generally only have respiratory symptoms and systemic symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat, etc.;

2. Physical examination: if there is mycoplasma infection, usually the lung signs are not obvious, generally manifested as coarse breath sounds in both lungs, and a few dry and wet rales can be heard in both lower lungs, while the viral cold will not cause obvious changes in the lungs;

3. Auxiliary examination: the total number of white blood cells will be normal or slightly increased in the case of mycoplasma infection, while the white blood cell count is reduced or normal in viral infection, and the lymphocytes are relatively increased. On x-rays, mycoplasma infection may cause unilateral lower lobe infiltrates in the lungs, presenting as segmental pneumonia, whereas x-rays of viral colds are usually unremarkable.

If mycoplasma infection is present, it needs to be treated with azithromycin tablets as prescribed. If there is a viral cold, the main treatment is symptomatic, such as using ibuprofen extended-release capsules to reduce fever according to the doctor's instructions, and if there is an influenza virus infection, it may be necessary to use oseltamivir phosphate capsules under the guidance of a doctor.