Mycoplasmal Pneumonia

Question 1

Signs and symptoms

Answer 1

Gradual onset of cough, fever, sputum, production, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches

Question 2

Causative agent

Answer 2

Mycoplasma pneumoniae; lacks cell wall

Question 3

Pathogenesis

Answer 3

Inhalation of infected droplets. Bacterial cells attach to specific receptors on the respiratory epithelium; inhibition of cilliary motion and destruction of cells follow

Question 4

Epidemiology

Answer 4

Mild infections are common, and these infected people often spread the disease

Question 5

Treatment and prevention

Answer 5

Treatment: antibiotics, excluding cell wall syntheses inhibitors.
Prevention: no vaccine available; avoiding crowding in schools and military facilities advisable