A respiratory society and other institutions in Japan have jointly announced measures to prevent the spread of mycoplasma pneumonia, which is on the rise in the country.

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a respiratory disease caused by bacteria. Children are more susceptible to infection than adults.
Symptoms include a fever and a persistent cough.

Cases of mycoplasma pneumonia began to rise this summer in Japan.
Data from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases show that the weekly average number of cases reported by about 500 medical institutions nationwide hit a new high on October 13. It was the third straight weekly high since a new method of data collection was instituted.

The report jointly announced by the Japanese Respiratory Society and four other societies says mycoplasma pneumonia is easily spread at schools and is likely transmitted from children to adults in the home.
The report says good ventilation and mask-wearing are effective ways to stop the infection from spreading. The bacteria are passed through droplets produced by coughing and sneezing.

The report recommends seeing a doctor for possible infection if you and the people around you are coughing.

The report says researchers have confirmed a strain of the bacteria is resistant to an antibacterial drug commonly used to treat mycoplasma pneumonia.
It recommends patients who are given the drug should see their doctor again if their symptoms haven't improved within several days.

Mukae Hiroshi, a professor at Nagasaki University Hospital and a member of the Japanese Respiratory Society, says people should not feel overly anxious since many cases of mycoplasma pneumonia are not serious.
But he says because the pathogen has a long incubation period, patients may unwittingly spread it.
He is calling on people to take basic steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, such as by wearing a mask and washing their hands thoroughly.