Patient's question:
My son is four years old. When he was two, he contracted Mycoplasma pneumonia. After he recovered from the illness, he has had relapses every year. Now he is afraid to go to kindergarten at all. How can this condition be completely cured?Doctor's answer:
Hello, it is important to do well in prevention after recovery. The incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia has increased significantly in recent years. The incubation period is 2 to 3 weeks, and it is transmitted through cough droplets. It is contagious during the incubation period, most contagious within the first week of symptom onset, and still contagious several weeks after symptoms subside. Due to its long incubation period and prolonged respiratory carriage, there is a higher risk of infection for surrounding populations. Additionally, extrapulmonary complications such as meningitis, hepatitis, and myocarditis are also common. Therefore, strengthening prevention of this disease is crucial.Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia is less contagious than influenza or measles. Therefore, early isolation of patients can help prevent its spread.
During an outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, children who have been in contact with patients can be given oral erythromycin ethylsuccinate at a dose of 20 to 40 mg/kg/day, divided into 3 to 4 doses, for 3 consecutive days to prevent infection.