Characteristics of Mycoplasma-induced Cough in Children

Generally, mycoplasma is a type of prokaryotic microorganism that lies between bacteria and viruses. It lacks a cell wall structure and primarily spreads through droplet transmission. In the human body, mycoplasma mainly affects the respiratory and urogenital tracts and can cause various diseases. Cough caused by mycoplasma infection in children is typically characterized by dry cough, severe coughing, worsening cough at night, prolonged disease course, and other accompanying symptoms. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Predominant dry cough

A typical manifestation of mycoplasma-induced cough in children is dry cough, meaning there is little or no phlegm during coughing, or only a small amount of viscous sputum. This dry cough may last for a long time. As the condition progresses, small amounts of white, sticky phlegm might appear later. In some severe cases, blood streaks may be observed in the sputum.

2. Severe coughing

Once infected with mycoplasma, children often experience bouts of intense dry coughing. This cough is nearly phlegm-free but very forceful. The coughing sounds are continuous and sometimes accompanied by a feeling of vomiting, as the strong coughing action engages the abdominal muscles, causing significant discomfort to the child.

3. Worsening cough at night

Mycoplasma-related cough in children is particularly noticeable at night, possibly due to increased vagal nerve activity and heightened airway sensitivity that exacerbate the cough. This nighttime cough may affect the child's sleep quality, further impacting their recovery.

4. Prolonged disease course

Another notable feature of mycoplasma-induced cough in children is its long duration. Once infected, a child may experience continuous coughing lasting for weeks or even months. This prolonged coughing can affect the child's quality of life. If the cough symptoms are not treated promptly and effectively, it may lead to more severe conditions such as pneumonia.

5. Presence of other associated symptoms

In addition to coughing, mycoplasma infection in children may present with other symptoms such as fever, poor mental status, reduced appetite, chest tightness, shortness of breath, irritability, and even difficulty breathing. Among these, fever is a common accompanying symptom. Body temperature may be high, moderate, or low-grade and can persist for several days to weeks, sometimes even recurring.

After contracting mycoplasma, children should ensure adequate rest, avoid strenuous exercise and staying up late to prevent interference with their recovery.