TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The mysterious outbreak of mycoplasma pneumonia in children in China has prompted concerns, as the influenza-like illness has also spiked in other countries. On Thursday, Dec. 8, the Indonesian Health Ministry confirmed that six cases had been found in Jakarta.

According to Healthline, the infection is caused by a bacterium called Mycoplasma pneumoniae, rather than a virus like the one behind the flu, SARS, or COVID-19. The bacterium can linger in the nose or throat without making the person sick and can develop pneumonia if it spreads to the lungs, damaging the lining of the throat, lungs, or trachea. 

The bacterium can spread quickly through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia

The symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia are similar to symptoms of pneumonia in general but less severe. Citing from mountsinai.org, the symptoms are usually mild and appear within one to three weeks. The infection may be more severe in some people.

Common symptoms include:

- Chest pain

- Chills

- Cough, usually dry and not bloody

- Excessive sweating

- Fever (may be high)

- Headache

- Sore throat

Less common symptoms include:

- Earache

- Pain or soreness in the eyes

- Muscle pain and joint stiffness

- Neck lump 

- Rapid breathing

- Skin lesions or rashes

The Indonesian Health Ministry confirmed on its page kemkes.go.id that pneumonia caused by mycoplasma bacteria is often referred to as walking pneumonia instead of mycoplasma pneumonia. This is because the symptoms are usually mild, so patients do not need to be hospitalized and can simply undergo outpatient treatment.

RINDI ARISKA

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