How to tell if a child is infected with chlamydia and mycoplasma

Chlamydia and mycoplasma infection in a child can be determined based on symptoms, imaging tests, and laboratory tests.

1. Symptoms: Chlamydia and mycoplasma infection mainly cause lung interstitial inflammation, children mainly present with dry cough, and children with mycoplasma infection often present with stubborn and violent dry cough, often with sticky sputum, accompanied by different degrees of fever, and most pulmonary signs are not obvious. When Chlamydia trachomatis is infected, children often have paroxysmal incoherent cough, and the onset of Chlamydia pneumoniae is more insidious.

2. Imaging examination: mild signs and obvious changes in X-ray examination are the characteristics of mycoplasma pneumonia, X-ray can show bronchial pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, hilar shadow thickening and other changes, and in severe cases, pleural effusion. Chlamydia pneumonia appears radiographically as interstitial pneumonia.

3. Laboratory examination: mycoplasma and chlamydia antibody tests can be done, or secretions can be cultured to determine whether chlamydia and mycoplasma are infected.

Mycoplasma pneumonia may progress to refractory pneumonia that can affect multiple systems and even lead to multisystem failure. Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia can worsen rapidly and even cause death.

When chlamydia or mycoplasma infection is suspected, children should go to a regular hospital for medical attention.