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Tokyo, Japan – Japan is grappling with a significant increase in mycoplasma pneumonia cases, with patient numbers reaching their highest levels for this time of year in the past decade.
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the weekly average number of mycoplasma pneumonia patients per reporting medical institution reached 1.11 as of January 12th, a substantial increase of 0.34 from the previous week. This figure marks the highest recorded for this period in the last ten years.
Mycoplasma pneumonia, primarily affecting children, presents symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headaches, and a persistent cough. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia and necessitate hospitalization. The incubation period ranges from 1 to 4 weeks, and symptoms can persist for several weeks.
Concurrently, erythema infectiosum, characterized by cold-like symptoms followed by a distinctive red rash on the cheeks, is also on the rise. Data from approximately 3,000 medical institutions nationwide revealed an average of 0.94 cases per facility during the same week, up from 0.78 the previous week.
Health experts emphasized the crucial importance of adhering to infection prevention measures, including consistent mask-wearing, as influenza remains widespread.
Mycoplasma pneumonia, caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. It primarily spreads through respiratory droplets during close contact. While typically prevalent during winter months, infections can occur year-round.
Key Points:
- Record-high mycoplasma pneumonia cases in Japan.
- Significant increase in erythema infectiosum cases.
- Emphasizes the importance of infection prevention measures, including mask-wearing.
- Mycoplasma pneumonia is a common respiratory infection, primarily affecting children.
- Can lead to pneumonia in severe cases.
Note: This article is based on the provided information and may not include all aspects of the situation.
