Treat That Wheezy Cough Seriously – Lest You Be Tricked

In this day and age when we are encouraged to avoid antibiotic use, I was slapped in the face with an unexpected prescription for antibiotics for my son.

Each year he brings home the usual parade of viruses from school. This week seemed no different. However, one day he seemed short of breath and newly wheezy.

His pediatrician suggested it probably was Mycoplasma, an atypical bacteria which mimics viral illnesses.

This bacteria is also responsible for many of the common, mild illnesses kids get, such as chest colds. At the worst, Mycoplasma infections can lead to “walking pneumonia.”

Indeed, I learned that 50% of new onset asthma in children corresponds to an acute Mycoplasma infection. This doesn’t necessarily mean on-going asthma but is yet another reason to get checked out early.

Mycoplasma be gone!

We are both on Azithromycin, an antibiotic frequently used to treat “atypical” bacteria. We’re thrilled to be getting a taste of my own medicine.

Contact your doctor early

Always contact your doctor early to discuss symptoms so you get the treatment for a fast recovery.

(You can get the full horror story on Mycoplasma on the Center of Disease Control website.)

Practice prevention with these easy habits

• Wash hands often and use hand sanitizer
• Try to stay away from people who are obviously sick.
• When you’re sick, cough into your arm. Or if you cough in your hands, wash them after. Try to move away from other people when you cough. (They will love you for that!)