Question
Hello: My daughter is 4 years old and has been coughing for nearly 2 months with phlegm. Blood tests show a mycoplasma infection, and X-rays show inflammation in the trachea. The doctor recommended using erythromycin for treatment. I would like to ask how the treatment should be carried out and whether I should follow the regimen of administering intravenous drip for three days and stopping for four days?
Answer
Hello: For the treatment of pediatric mycoplasma infection, both erythromycin and tetracycline are effective. However, due to the potential adverse effects of tetracycline on the teeth, bone growth, and liver and kidney function in children under 8 years old, erythromycin is the preferred medication for treating mycoplasma infection in children. The dosage is 20 to 40 milligrams per kilogram per day, taken orally in four divided doses, with a treatment course of 2 weeks. In severe cases, intravenous injection of erythromycin can be considered at a dosage of 20 to 30 milligrams per kilogram per day, slowly infused into a 5% glucose solution to avoid irritation of the veins. For children with significant gastrointestinal reactions, it may be necessary to take digestive aids concurrently.