Mycoplasma pneumonia symptoms, manifestations, and treatment

Generally, mycoplasma pneumonia presents with symptoms such as generalized muscle aches, headache, fever, cough, and sore throat. Symptomatic management usually involves general care and medication. If symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and undergo appropriate treatment under a physician's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Generalized muscle aches: Mycoplasma infection triggers an immune response in the body, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators. Patients may experience aching, soreness, or dull pain in muscles throughout the body, especially in the limbs, lower back, and other areas. It is recommended to ensure adequate sleep and rest, which can help alleviate muscle discomfort.

2. Headache: Mycoplasma infection causes systemic inflammatory responses and fever, which can lead to dilation of cerebral blood vessels and stimulate pain-sensitive structures within the skull, resulting in headaches. The severity of headaches varies among individuals and may range from mild pressure-like pain to severe pulsating pain. Gently massaging areas such as the temples, glabella, and scalp may help relieve headaches.

3. Fever: Following mycoplasma infection, the body's immune system is activated, releasing endogenous pyrogens that act on the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center, raising the body's temperature set point, and causing varying degrees of fever. It is recommended to take medications such as ibuprofen tablets or acetaminophen tablets under a physician's guidance to manage fever.

4. Cough: Cough is one of the primary symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia and can be classified as dry cough or productive cough. Dry cough is characterized by an irritating cough with little or no sputum, or only a small amount of white mucus. Productive cough involves more sputum production, with a sensation of foreign body in the throat requiring forceful expectoration. It is recommended to take medications such as dextromethorphan syrup or compound methoxyphenamine capsules under medical advice to alleviate symptoms.

5. Sore throat: Sore throat results from pharyngeal inflammation caused by mycoplasma infection, which stimulates nerve endings in the throat and causes pain. Patients may experience throat pain that worsens significantly during swallowing of saliva or food, and in severe cases, it may even affect eating. It is recommended to use medications such as watermelon frost tablets or pharyngitis tablets under a physician's guidance for treatment.

In daily life, it is advised to ensure sufficient sleep. Once symptoms improve, moderate physical activities such as walking or tai chi can be performed to promote blood circulation and enhance the body's immune resistance.