Clinical Presentation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia This presents as a 'flu-like illness with unproductive cough and extensive CXR shadowing out of line with the clinical impression. The pneumonia can progress from one lobe to another. The illness lasts from a few days up to a month or so and the patient may remain 'washed-out' for a long while after resolution of specific symptoms. Complications include a variety of skin rashes, including urticaria, erythema multiforme and erythema nodosum. A low-grade polyarthralgia may persist for months.
Fatalities are rare.
Investigations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia Diagnosis relies heavily on serology as the clinical picture may not be distinguishable from other forms of pneumonia, particularly ornithosis and Q fever, and because culture is relatively difficult. The WCC may be normal or low. The level of cold haemagglutinins reflects the severity of the disease. Treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia Treatment is with erythromycin or tetracycline though neither antibiotic eradicates organisms from the throat. Erythromycin resistance can arise during the course of treatment.