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scottobearLadies and gentlemen.
I have....
Pneumonia!
The “walking pneumonia”
Walking or atypical pneumonias are pneumonias that are caused by less common micro-organisms, and most of them are caused by Mycoplasma, an extremely tiny microscopic organism related to bacteria.
The pneumonia is called “walking pneumonia” because in most cases the disease is not severe enough to confine the patient to bed or to warrant hospitalization.
Mycoplasma pneumonia affects primarily adults below 40 years of age and children.
Mycoplasma infections occur year round but are more common in late summer and fall.
Typical symptoms may include fever, chills, excessive sweating, sore throat, a cough that may or may not be productive, malaise and occasional chest pain.Symptoms may persist for a few days to more than a month.
Occasionally, the Mycoplasma pneumonia may be associated with a painful ear infection, anemia or skin rashes. The disease is usually relatively mild, but occasionally individual symptoms may be quite distressing with the patients feeling generally much worse than they look.
Diagnostic tests may reveal increased concentrations of certain immune substances (cold agglutininns) but a definite diagnosis of Mycoplasma infection, requires more complicated serological tests which are not usually done unless they are part of a research protocol or for diagnostic purposes of suspected epidemics.
The outlook for most treated patients is excellent as the infection responds well to Erythromycin and Tetracyclines. (Tetracyclines are usually not recommended in patients under 7 years of age, because it may cause yellowing of the permanent teeth.) An untreated Mycoplasma pneumonia, in most cases will resolve spontaneously, but may easily drag on over a couple of months or more.
Immunity after mycoplasma infections does occur but it is not life long and its exact duration is unknown. Recurrent infections are usually much milder than the original episode.
I have....
Pneumonia!
The “walking pneumonia”
Walking or atypical pneumonias are pneumonias that are caused by less common micro-organisms, and most of them are caused by Mycoplasma, an extremely tiny microscopic organism related to bacteria.
The pneumonia is called “walking pneumonia” because in most cases the disease is not severe enough to confine the patient to bed or to warrant hospitalization.
Mycoplasma pneumonia affects primarily adults below 40 years of age and children.
Mycoplasma infections occur year round but are more common in late summer and fall.
Typical symptoms may include fever, chills, excessive sweating, sore throat, a cough that may or may not be productive, malaise and occasional chest pain.Symptoms may persist for a few days to more than a month.
Occasionally, the Mycoplasma pneumonia may be associated with a painful ear infection, anemia or skin rashes. The disease is usually relatively mild, but occasionally individual symptoms may be quite distressing with the patients feeling generally much worse than they look.
Diagnostic tests may reveal increased concentrations of certain immune substances (cold agglutininns) but a definite diagnosis of Mycoplasma infection, requires more complicated serological tests which are not usually done unless they are part of a research protocol or for diagnostic purposes of suspected epidemics.
The outlook for most treated patients is excellent as the infection responds well to Erythromycin and Tetracyclines. (Tetracyclines are usually not recommended in patients under 7 years of age, because it may cause yellowing of the permanent teeth.) An untreated Mycoplasma pneumonia, in most cases will resolve spontaneously, but may easily drag on over a couple of months or more.
Immunity after mycoplasma infections does occur but it is not life long and its exact duration is unknown. Recurrent infections are usually much milder than the original episode.
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no subject
no subject
Date: 2001-10-24 04:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2001-10-23 06:53 pm (UTC)i had it during midterms in college. :p
i would cough till i vomited. i coughed so much i sprained some muscles in my ribcage. blah. *shudder*
i hope you feel better soon!
no subject
Date: 2001-10-23 06:57 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2001-10-23 07:01 pm (UTC)Thanks!! :)
no subject
Date: 2001-10-23 07:02 pm (UTC)hope you feel better soon.
Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 02:54 am (UTC)I'm glad you're in the healthy zone too.
no subject
Date: 2001-10-23 07:12 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 03:09 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 02:53 am (UTC)Oh lucky you......
Date: 2001-10-23 07:14 pm (UTC)Hope to not have it again.
Don't like remaining vivid memory of being in Virginia, in late July, 98 degrees outside, high humidity, sitting inside my car with the heat cranked wide open, and still shivering.
Don't like how it just.....lingers.....that cough.....ugh.
Suffice to say, I ate tons of minestrone soup....not sure if it made a difference, but hey...it's minestrone soup.....
Re: Oh lucky you......
Date: 2001-10-24 03:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2001-10-23 07:37 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 03:13 am (UTC)Well, I had a feline plastered against me, but no mustard. :)
Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2001-10-23 07:58 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 03:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2001-10-23 08:31 pm (UTC)So take whatever meds they gave you RELIGIOUSLY, and drink LOTS OF FLUIDS. Eat healthy, ok?
(Also, what they told me was this was somewhat infectious. Mine was at least. So although I was basically past the primary infectious phase, they had me stay home and away from work for a week. I definitely recommend it, its a good idea to stay home no matter what. And bosses usually accept the whole 'pneumonia' excuse without questions ;) )
no subject
Date: 2001-10-24 02:34 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 03:00 am (UTC)Thanks for the good wishes!
Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 03:11 am (UTC)I'm taking what they gave me, to the letter. (all of it, as is prescribed)
I've got a ton of hydration happening here, too.
Thanks!
Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 03:08 am (UTC)Ask Dr Stupid
Date: 2001-10-23 11:41 pm (UTC)PS: We recommend bed rest for most conditions with the exception of sobriety and chastity.
Re: Ask Dr Stupid
Date: 2001-10-23 11:58 pm (UTC)PS: Sobriety does have its benefits - it is the best excuse for drinking that I have discovered
Re: Ask Dr Stupid
Date: 2001-10-24 03:03 am (UTC)Re: Ask Dr Stupid
Date: 2001-10-24 03:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2001-10-24 02:18 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 03:00 am (UTC):)
crap! thats bad...
Date: 2001-10-24 04:36 am (UTC)*hugs*
Re: crap! thats bad...
Date: 2001-10-24 04:44 am (UTC)Thanks! :)
Bummer
Date: 2001-10-24 05:20 am (UTC)Take care of yourself.
Re: Bummer
Date: 2001-10-24 05:21 am (UTC)Thanks. :)
no subject
Date: 2001-10-24 06:30 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 07:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2001-10-24 10:43 am (UTC)hope you feel better soon hon
*hugs and fairy smooches*
Re:
Date: 2001-10-24 10:46 am (UTC)I appreciate it!