Mycoplasma: how dangerous are these bacteria?
Switzerland has seen an increase in cases of mycoplasma pneumonia, particularly in children. Where do these bacteria come from and how can you protect yourself from them? Find out more in this health tip.
23.10.2024 | 3 minutes reading time
Author:
Content-Team SWICA
Content-Team SWICA
For many people, constant tiredness and an unpleasant sore throat, fever and cough are as much a part of autumn as the falling leaves. But according to the latest reports, these symptoms don't always point to a classic cold. Since late summer there has been a wave of pneumonia infections caused by mycoplasma, especially in children.
While colds are usually caused by viruses, bacteria are the culprits in the increasing number of pneumonia cases. Mycoplasmas are a genus of tiny bacteria that don't have a cell wall. This makes them difficult to treat, since it's precisely this cell wall that's targeted by conventional antibiotics such as penicillin. Mycoplasmas only infect humans and spread very slowly, which is why it often takes a very long time before you even notice the symptoms and the pathogens are detected. The symptoms are often mistaken for a cold. Mycoplasmas can cause many different illnesses, such as infections of the urethra or pneumonia.
Why are cases currently on the rise?
The fact that mycoplasmas are causing a wave of pneumonia right now is most likely a residual effect of the coronavirus. Wearing masks, social distancing and using lots of disinfectant made it much harder for viruses and bacteria to spread. It's also posited that people's immune systems were weakened by the hygiene measures and are now more susceptible to infections.What should I do if I suspect my child has mycoplasma pneumonia?
If you suspect your child has mycoplasma pneumonia, there's not much you can do except seek medical advice and have them treated if necessary. Since mycoplasma pneumonia tends to develop gradually, it's not easy to recognise.If the suspicion that my child has mycoplasma pneumonia has been confirmed, do I need to be concerned?
No. In most cases, the disease is harmless and will disappear on its own, without medication. The most common symptoms are mild inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa or bronchial tubes. These symptoms can be treated with medicines prescribed by a doctor.Is there any way to specifically protect against infection?
To get infected you need to be in close contact with an infected person, because the virus is transmitted via droplets (coughing, sneezing or saliva). Despite the increase in infections, there's no need to take any specific precautions that you wouldn't already take anyway when dealing with an illness: those who are ill should stay at home and those who are healthy should minimise contact with infected people.
These tips will help you avoid infection via droplets in general:
- Ventilate regularly
- Wash and disinfect your hands
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a handkerchief
In the event of further health-related questions, SWICA customers can contact the santé24 telemedicine service free of charge on +41 44 404 86 86. A telemedicine practice licence allows santé24 physicians to provide additional medical services in cases that are suited to a telemedicine approach. SWICA customers can also use the BENECURA medical app to carry out a digital SymptomCheck and receive recommendations about what to do next. During a subsequent phone call with santé24, customers can decide for themselves whether to release their information from SymptomCheck to santé24.
