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What Is Mycoplasma Pneumoniae?

Each year, about 100,000 people in the United States are hospitalized with pneumonia, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the name of the organism that causes one form of pneumonia: mycoplasma infection or atypical (walking) pneumonia.

  1. Cause

    • Mycoplasma most closely resembles a bacterium, but it lacks a cell wall. It is a pleomorphic organism. It is airborne and is passed from one person to another, especially when individuals are in close contact. You experience symptoms within one to three weeks of exposure.

    Symptoms

    • Mycoplasma pneumoniae might produce symptoms such as a productive or nonproductive cough, hoarseness, fever, fatigue, aches and pains, difficulty sleeping, headaches and middle ear infections.

    At Risk

    • Children and adolescents are most at risk for walking pneumonia. Among adults, those who live in close quarters, such as dormitories or military barracks, are more susceptible.

    Treatment

    • The condition may resolve on its own in three to four weeks with rest and limited activity. For children younger than 10 years of age, the antibiotic tetracycline may be prescribed. Antibiotics prescribed for adults include erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin.

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