What are the symptoms of mycoplasma and chlamydia infections?
Jan 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
In general, symptoms of mycoplasma infection include coughing, phlegm production, sore throat, nasal congestion and runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms of chlamydia infection include fever and chills, coughing, headache and muscle pain, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. If symptoms of mycoplasma or chlamydia infection occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical examination and diagnosis at a hospital and to follow the guidance of a physician for treatment, which will help the body recover more quickly.
Generally, symptoms of mycoplasma infection include cough, sputum production, sore throat, nasal congestion and discharge, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms of chlamydia infection include fever and chills, cough, headache and muscle aches, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. The specific symptoms are analyzed as follows:
I. Symptoms of Mycoplasma Infection
1. Cough: When the respiratory tract is infected by mycoplasma, its sensitivity is relatively increased. Additionally, secretions accumulate in the respiratory tract, irritating the airways and causing coughing. This typically presents as a severe, irritating dry cough, with little or no sputum, which may be minimal and white in color.
2. Sputum production: Inflammation causes changes in the mucus secreted by the respiratory mucosa, and more inflammatory cells and necrotic tissue may mix into the sputum. Some patients may develop sputum production as the disease progresses.
3. Sore throat: Mycoplasma infection can affect the throat, causing an inflammatory reaction in the pharyngeal mucosa. Swallowing causes contraction of the throat muscles, further irritating the inflamed mucosa and exacerbating the pain.
4. Nasal congestion and discharge: When mycoplasma infection causes upper respiratory tract infection, the nasal mucosa is stimulated by mycoplasma, leading to nasal mucosal congestion, edema, and increased secretions. Nasal congestion and discharge are commonly observed.
5. Difficulty breathing: Mycoplasma infection can cause lung inflammation, affecting the ventilation function of the alveoli and bronchi, leading to impaired gas exchange. Patients may feel breathless, and this symptom may become more pronounced after physical activity.
II. Symptoms of Chlamydia Infection
1. Fever and chills: Fever and chills are immune responses to chlamydia infection. The immune system elevates body temperature to inhibit the growth and replication of chlamydia, while chills are muscular contractions triggered by the thermoregulatory center during the rising phase of body temperature.
2. Cough: Chlamydia infection causes inflammation of the respiratory mucosa, stimulating the receptors in the respiratory tract and triggering a cough reflex. The cough is usually dry or accompanied by a small amount of white, viscous sputum. The cough may be severe and symptoms may worsen at night or in the early morning.
3. Headache and muscle aches: Chlamydia infection causes the body to produce inflammatory mediators, which stimulate nerve endings and muscle tissues, leading to headache and muscle pain. Headache typically presents as bilateral, pressing or pulsating pain, while muscle aches mainly occur in the limbs, waist, and back.
4. Chest pain: Severe chlamydia-induced lung inflammation may involve the pleura. The inflamed pleura produces pain, and the friction and stretching of the pleura during coughing or deep breathing may intensify the pain.
5. Difficulty breathing: Severe chlamydia respiratory infection can impair the ventilation and gas exchange functions of the alveoli. When chlamydia pneumonia causes extensive lung lesions, patients may experience difficulty breathing.
If symptoms of mycoplasma or chlamydia infection occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical examination and diagnosis at a hospital for treatment under the guidance of a physician, which will aid in a quicker recovery.
