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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Mycoplasma Pneumonia Colonization....
Answered by
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Mycoplasma Pneumonia Colonization....
by Nejwa, Jan 12, 2004 12:00AM
Hello
I contracted Mycoplasma Pneumonia in Nov 02 and was v.ill for 5 months before it was identified in March 03 and then was given 12 week clarithromycin 500mg 2 daily therpay which has made a lot of improvement. however, since illness I am not the same Im now told that I have hyperactive ariway Response.....its strange really I take Ventolin and Symbicort Turbohaler for treatment for my chest tightness and heavy mucus production (remaining symptoms since contracting m.pneumonia) but im now told I have asthma...one doctor told me its just a mild asthma and the other its just hyperactive airways due to previous infection....So..
1. if my airway are colonized with Mycoplasma Pneumonia does it mean Im gonna now have asthma for ever now?
2.Is there a treatment to end this colonization???? longer antibiotics, anti inflamatories...anyhting...etc
3. Am I right in thinking that because im colonized now - that a relapse/reactivation is highly likely going forward?
4. If I have a baby now does it mean that the bug is passed onto my child?
Please please help/advise - this mycoplasma has turned my world upside down!
Many thanks in advance!!!
Nejwa
I contracted Mycoplasma Pneumonia in Nov 02 and was v.ill for 5 months before it was identified in March 03 and then was given 12 week clarithromycin 500mg 2 daily therpay which has made a lot of improvement. however, since illness I am not the same Im now told that I have hyperactive ariway Response.....its strange really I take Ventolin and Symbicort Turbohaler for treatment for my chest tightness and heavy mucus production (remaining symptoms since contracting m.pneumonia) but im now told I have asthma...one doctor told me its just a mild asthma and the other its just hyperactive airways due to previous infection....So..
1. if my airway are colonized with Mycoplasma Pneumonia does it mean Im gonna now have asthma for ever now?
2.Is there a treatment to end this colonization???? longer antibiotics, anti inflamatories...anyhting...etc
3. Am I right in thinking that because im colonized now - that a relapse/reactivation is highly likely going forward?
4. If I have a baby now does it mean that the bug is passed onto my child?
Please please help/advise - this mycoplasma has turned my world upside down!
Many thanks in advance!!!
Nejwa
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jan 21, 2004 12:00AM
, Jan 21, 2004 12:00AM
Bacterial infections like Mycoplasma pneumonia can cause inflammation of the airways of the lungs. This inflammation can cause wheezing and coughing. After the infection is gone, it is possible for the inflammation to linger. This inflammation can last for several weeks. Sometimes this inflammation may linger for 3 to 6 months. Eventually the inflammation will go away, and then the wheezing and coughing will stop. This is called reactive airways disease (RAD) and behaves a lot like asthma. When this inflammation is treated with an inhaled steroid, like Symbicort Turbohaler®, which is used to treat asthma, it often clears more quickly.
When this continues, it is generally considered to be asthma. Testing can be helpful to show if your symptoms are due to asthma or RAD. Generally testing starts with a simple breathing test called spirometry. This test provides detailed information about how your lungs are working. It will show if there is obstruction in your airways.
To really test for asthma it is best to repeat this test after using a rescue inhaler, an inhaled bronchodilator like Ventolin® Inhalation Aerosol (albuterol sulfate). This measures how much the bronchodilator helps your lungs by reversing the problem. When there is a 20% increase, the test is positive for asthma.
There are a variety of things that can make asthma worse. These things are called triggers. Infections are a common trigger of asthma. Also some people start to have problems with asthma only after having a severe respiratory infection. Once you have asthma, you will always have asthma. It does vary from person to person. For some people the symptoms will come and go. For others the symptoms are constant. There is no cure at this time, but it can be controlled with medicine.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M pneumoniae) is commonly called mycoplasma. These are bacteria that can cause throat infections and lung infections such as pneumonia. Many people develop wheezing and coughing with these fairly common respiratory infections. Mycoplasma is contagious when it causes these infections. It can spread quickly through a family from mother to child or other closely-knit group. In most cases, treatment with an antibiotic will keep the infection from spreading. Preventative measures include frequent hand washing or the use of alcohol-based hand rubs. Also covering your mouth and nose with a tissue before sneezing or coughing will help to decrease the spread. You may become infected with mycoplasma again, but it is generally because you have spent time with someone who is infected and not because of your past infection.
In a person with asthma, mycoplasma can be in the airways of the lungs without causing an infection. In this situation it is colonizing rather than infecting the lungs. It is less contagious when it is colonizing, so it is less likely to be passed onto your child. This colonization of the lungs can make it difficult for the asthma medicines to help. Being treated with at least 6 month of an antibiotic called Biaxin® (clarithromycin) can clear the colonization. Then the asthma medicines may finally be able to improve the asthma symptoms. A relapse or reactivation of the colonization is possible. However your immune system may eradicate the mycoplasma so that the colonization does not relapse or reactivate.
A pulmonologist familiar with mycoplasma would be the type of specialist to get you on the best treatment to keep lungs healthy.
When this continues, it is generally considered to be asthma. Testing can be helpful to show if your symptoms are due to asthma or RAD. Generally testing starts with a simple breathing test called spirometry. This test provides detailed information about how your lungs are working. It will show if there is obstruction in your airways.
To really test for asthma it is best to repeat this test after using a rescue inhaler, an inhaled bronchodilator like Ventolin® Inhalation Aerosol (albuterol sulfate). This measures how much the bronchodilator helps your lungs by reversing the problem. When there is a 20% increase, the test is positive for asthma.
There are a variety of things that can make asthma worse. These things are called triggers. Infections are a common trigger of asthma. Also some people start to have problems with asthma only after having a severe respiratory infection. Once you have asthma, you will always have asthma. It does vary from person to person. For some people the symptoms will come and go. For others the symptoms are constant. There is no cure at this time, but it can be controlled with medicine.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M pneumoniae) is commonly called mycoplasma. These are bacteria that can cause throat infections and lung infections such as pneumonia. Many people develop wheezing and coughing with these fairly common respiratory infections. Mycoplasma is contagious when it causes these infections. It can spread quickly through a family from mother to child or other closely-knit group. In most cases, treatment with an antibiotic will keep the infection from spreading. Preventative measures include frequent hand washing or the use of alcohol-based hand rubs. Also covering your mouth and nose with a tissue before sneezing or coughing will help to decrease the spread. You may become infected with mycoplasma again, but it is generally because you have spent time with someone who is infected and not because of your past infection.
In a person with asthma, mycoplasma can be in the airways of the lungs without causing an infection. In this situation it is colonizing rather than infecting the lungs. It is less contagious when it is colonizing, so it is less likely to be passed onto your child. This colonization of the lungs can make it difficult for the asthma medicines to help. Being treated with at least 6 month of an antibiotic called Biaxin® (clarithromycin) can clear the colonization. Then the asthma medicines may finally be able to improve the asthma symptoms. A relapse or reactivation of the colonization is possible. However your immune system may eradicate the mycoplasma so that the colonization does not relapse or reactivate.
A pulmonologist familiar with mycoplasma would be the type of specialist to get you on the best treatment to keep lungs healthy.
One further clarification please - you mention that at least a 6month therapy with Biaxin is required to eradicate colonization.....I have had 3 months therapy with Biaxin 500mg twice a day April 03 to June 03. Obviously the 3 months therapy was not sufficinent hence why although better im still symptomatic!
1. Do I now need to do at least a further 3 months therapy with Biaxin or start fresh a minimum 6 months therpay?
2. Does the several months gap since completing the 3 months biaxin therapy void the treatment hence why I would need to start the antibiotic therapy from scratch?
I have done a reversibility test and a lung function test and it proved that I dont have asthma!! Although airway limitation was observed.
Is there a test I can do that would clearly prove the mycoplasma colonization??
Thank you v.much
Your help will be very much appreciated.
Nejwa