Is the child infected with mycoplasma pneumoniae or influenza virus？ Experts teach you to judge like this

　　Xinhua News Agency, Tianjin, November 24th (Reporter Yin Siyuan, Zhang Jianxin) There are high incidence of respiratory infections in winter, and some children have typical symptoms of respiratory infections such as fever, sore throat and cough. Monitoring data show that mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and influenza virus infection are the main types of patients currently in hospital. How to distinguish mycoplasma pneumoniae infection from influenza virus infection? Is self-medication feasible? Under what circumstances do you need to see a doctor? The reporter interviewed relevant experts to answer questions.

　　Li Yuechuan, director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Tianjin Chest Hospital, said that mycoplasma is a pathogenic microorganism, smaller than bacteria and larger than viruses. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the subtypes, which mainly invades the respiratory system and then causes infection, accompanied by fever, cough and other symptoms. How to distinguish mycoplasma pneumoniae infection from influenza? Li Yuechuan said that in terms of symptoms, the fever caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is generally more than 38 C. If there is a high fever above 39 C, it is highly likely to be influenza A; In terms of headache symptoms, the headache caused by mycoplasma infection is often severe, and the severe headache caused by influenza A is less; Cough symptoms caused by mycoplasma and influenza virus are also different. Cough caused by influenza A is generally not severe, while mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is more likely to cause severe cough symptoms. In addition, mycoplasma infection may also cause rash, meningitis, hemolysis and other symptoms in children.

　　After the child has symptoms such as fever and cough, some parents choose to give their children azithromycin and other drugs. In view of this phenomenon, Xu Yongsheng, director and chief physician of the Respiratory Department of Tianjin Children’s Hospital, said that azithromycin has a good effect on the treatment of mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, but it is not necessarily the best choice for other pathogens. "The use of azithromycin depends on age and basic state, and not all children can use it. Therefore, it is not advisable to take antibacterial drugs blindly. " Xu Yongsheng said.

　　On November 22nd, in Tianjin Children’s Hospital, many parents brought their children to see a doctor. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

　　Under what circumstances does the child need to go to the hospital? Xu Yongsheng said that for most children, respiratory tract infection is self-limited, and the symptoms are often the external manifestations of the body’s struggle with pathogens. With more rest and more water, most children can overcome pathogens. However, if the following situations occur, it is necessary to seek medical attention in time: First, the condition of children in the younger group changes rapidly and the symptoms are atypical, so parents often find it difficult to identify critical situations and need to seek medical attention as soon as possible; Second, it is necessary to assess the child’s mental state. If there are symptoms such as listlessness, less communication and interaction, and indifference, you need to go to the hospital in time; Third, when the symptoms are not relieved after a long course of disease, you need to go to the hospital for further diagnosis and treatment.

　　How should students guard against it? Dong Xiaochun, chief physician of the Center for Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control of Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that students should develop good personal hygiene habits, cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and pay attention to hand hygiene; Report to teachers and parents immediately when you feel unwell, so as to avoid attending classes with illness; Wear a mask when going out to reduce activities in crowded places; When parents find that their children have fever, cough and other related symptoms, they should seek medical treatment in time.