Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria that resembles viruses and causes
virus-like illnesses.
c. Treatment. Since tetracycline therapy for 5 to 10 days will shorten the
clinical course of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, proper etiologic diagnosis is useful,
especially if large numbers of cases are occurring.
An oral adenovirus vaccine has been developed and has been found
effective in reducing respiratory infections in recruits by 40 to 50 percent.
3-8.
COMMON RESPIRATORY DISEASES: INFLUENZA
A given episode of influenza is caused by one of the multiple types of influenza viruses.
a. Effect of Variety of Viruses. Since there is such a wide-variety of influenza
viruses and so little cross-immunity between them, periods of freedom from disease
often are relatively short.
CLASSIFICATION BY CLINICAL SYNDROME
TERM
INCLUDES
SOME CAUSES
Common cold
Nasopharyngitis
Rhinovirus
Coryza
Influenza
Parainfluenza
Respiratory syncytial virus
Pharyngitis
Follicular tonsillitis
Strep
Tonsillitis
Exudative pharyngitis
Adenovirus
Influenza
Coxsackie A
Parainfluenza
Acute upper respiratory
Fever
Adenovirus
Chills
Influenza
Headache
Parainfluenza
Malaise
Sore throat
Acute lower respiratory
Bronchitis
Adenovirus (50-80 percent
diseases
Bronchiolitis
in recruits)
Pneumonia
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
(10-50 percent in recruits)
Influenza
Parainfluenza
Bacteria
MD0152
3-7