Mycoplasmal pneumonia
- Causative organism – Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Also called primary atypical pneumonia
- Incubation period – 1-3 weeks
- Gradual onset
- usually tracheobronchitis, 1/3 develop pneumonia
- usually lasts for 1-2 weeks
- Mode of spread – droplet spread
- favoured by close contact (famalies, military recruits)
- mycoplasma may persist in throat for 2 or more months after recovery
Clinical manifestations
- Fever
- headache
- malaise
- sorethroat
- paroxysmal cough
- blood tinged sputum
- Findings on physical examination are minimal
- radiography shows patchy consolidation of lower lobes – starting at hilum, fanning to periphery
Complications
- myringitis bullosa, otitis – common
- rashes
- meningitis
- encephalitis
- hemolytic anemia
Lab diagnosis:
