Atypical bacterial pneumonia in children
Recently, the National Children's Hospital has admitted many pediatric patients with pneumonia, including many children with Mycoplasma pneumonia presenting with atypical symptoms that are easily mistaken for the common cold. So, what types of bacteria cause atypical pneumonia in children, and how is it treated?
1. Types of bacteria that cause atypical pneumonia in children
Pneumonia is a common problem, especially in young children. It is an infection of the lungs, and atypical pneumonia is a lung infection caused by atypical bacteria that are difficult to detect using conventional methods.
Currently, atypical pneumonia is usually caused by three common strains of bacteria:
- Caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma Pneumoniae
With this strain, it is estimated that approximately 2 million cases of atypical pneumonia in children are caused by mycoplasma annually. About 55-70% of atypical pneumonia in children is caused by mycoplasma.
The primary risk group consists of people who tend to live or work in densely populated areas such as schools, apartment complexes, and slum-like residential areas.
However, researchers say that many cases of atypical pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae occur without any specific risk factors.
- Caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila Pneumoniae
Atypical pneumonia caused by Chlamydophila (C. pneumoniae) typically occurs year-round and is most common in school-aged children. It is estimated that approximately 50% of adults have experienced this disease before the age of 20.
Patients usually only experience mild pneumonia symptoms, and severe cases are rare.
- Caused by Legionella Pneumophila bacteria
Atypical pneumonia caused by Legionella Pneumophila occurs worldwide with isolated cases. The incidence is unknown due to a lack of surveillance and reporting in various countries. However, studies suggest that Legionella Pneumophila-induced atypical pneumonia in children accounts for only about 5-7%.
Atypical pneumonia caused by Legionella Pneumophila occurs when bacterial pathogens are inhaled in water vapor and dust in polluted environments.
2. How to detect atypical pneumonia in children
Most cases of atypical pneumonia in children have a prodromal phase characterized by respiratory tract inflammation. During this phase, children with pneumonia may experience a high, persistent fever ranging from 39 to 40 degrees Celsius.
In addition, children may also have other symptoms such as: frequent coughing, coughing fits, dry cough, hoarseness accompanied by shortness of breath, rapid breathing. Older children may experience chest pain, headache, muscle pain, muscle stiffness, etc.
Specifically, children with mycoplasma pneumonia may develop a rash, while those with Legionella pneumonia may experience diarrhea and sometimes confusion.
In general, the physical symptoms of atypical pneumonia are quite subtle. Examination often reveals few obvious signs, such as lung or other symptoms.
3. Diagnosis of atypical pneumonia
In addition to suspected symptoms after clinical examination, a diagnosis of atypical pneumonia can be made with a fairly accurate X-ray. Because atypical pneumonia often involves extrapulmonary damage such as liver, spleen, or myocardial damage, or pleural damage, X-ray images also help identify and differentiate pneumonia from other respiratory diseases such as acute bronchitis.
Most cases of atypical pneumonia in children will have a prodromal phase, so doctors may also need to order other tests such as: culturing lung secretions to look for bacteria, testing for specific antibodies in the blood, culturing bacteria from blood samples, etc.
4. Treatment of atypical pneumonia in children
Depending on the specific case, doctors will prescribe antibiotics, but in most cases, treatment involves killing the bacteria causing the disease. If the child's pneumonia is not severe, oral antibiotics may be used. Conversely, if the child has severe pneumonia and respiratory distress, intravenous antibiotics should be used, combined with oxygen therapy.
Most children with atypical pneumonia can recover completely with antibiotic treatment. However, parents should note that the full course of antibiotics must be used, as stopping antibiotics too early significantly increases the risk of recurrent infection.
In addition, parents need to pay attention to caring for their children to help them recover quickly. It's important to ensure children eat enough nutritious food and breastfeed regularly while sick, avoiding restrictive diets. Regularly clean the child's nose with saline solution to help them breathe more easily.
Note that you should give your child plenty of fluids or encourage them to breastfeed more often. This is very important because children with pneumonia need plenty of fluids to thin mucus, soothe their throats, reduce coughing, and prevent dehydration.
In short:Atypical pneumonia is one of the most common forms of pneumonia in children. Most children with atypical pneumonia experience less severe symptoms compared to other types of pneumonia. However, if left untreated, atypical pneumonia can sometimes lead to dangerous complications.
Therefore, when there are any suspicious symptoms, parents should take their children to a medical facility for examination and treatment. Under no circumstances should parents attempt to treat their children themselves; self-treatment based on hearsay can be life-threatening.
