TREND IN MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIA

TREND IN MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIA

12.

Mdm Halimah Yacob asked the Minister for Health (a) whether there has been an increase in people suffering from mycoplasma pneumonia and, if so, what are the causes; and (b) whether it will help to have foreign workers screened through blood tests for this chest infection.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common cause of community acquired pneumonia which is seldom severe. Most patients do not need to be hospitalised and will fully recover after treatment with antibiotics. We do not track the incidence of this disease.

Routine screening for MP is also not done as currently there is no test which can easily diagnose it. In any case, persons infected with MP will usually display pneumonia symptoms. Hence, screening persons without penumonia symptoms will not pick up many patients.

The correct approach is to promote good personal hygiene practices and to encourage those who are unwell to seek medical treatment promptly.

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