Self-test positive equals infection？ When to see a doctor？ Do I need to see a doctor again？ Expert response …

　　CCTV News:Recently, many places have entered the high season of respiratory infectious diseases, among which mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is still the "mainstream". Some people choose to buy mycoplasma pneumoniae self-test boxes online for testing because they are worried that going to the hospital for examination may cause cross-infection. Is the test result of this self-test box accurate? Is self-test positive equal to infection?

　　CCTV reporter Hao Jiaqi:The mycoplasma pneumoniae IGM antibody detection kit comprises a diluent, a test card and a straw. When in use, drop blood on the test card and wait for 10 minutes to get a result.

　　On the Internet, some consumers shared their experience of using the self-test box, and some people thought it was convenient and quick, which reduced the risk of cross-infection. However, some people report that it is difficult to operate and the results are not accurate in the process of use. Experts said that at present, most of the self-test boxes sold on e-commerce platforms use colloidal gold and immunochromatography to detect IGM antibodies or antigens of mycoplasma pneumoniae, which can make people quickly judge whether they are infected with the virus, but their accuracy and sensitivity are uncertain.

　　Lang Zhongping, Deputy Chief Technician of pulmonary hospital Laboratory:In particular, the interpretation of the latter results may be misleading to citizens and friends. At present, the test results of IGM antibody against Mycoplasma pneumoniae on the market are often negative for people with low immunity or people in the window of infection. On the contrary, if the test result is positive, it does not mean that this infection is caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae, and it is likely to be a previous infection. Therefore, I don’t recommend citizens to buy these test boxes for self-test.

　　According to experts, there are strict guidelines and procedures for the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumoniae in clinic. In addition to laboratory tests, imaging tests and routine tests are also very important, which plays an auxiliary role in the diagnosis and treatment of doctors. If symptoms appear, you can prescribe the right medicine, but follow-up should closely observe whether it develops to severe disease.

　　Lang Zhongping, Deputy Chief Technician of pulmonary hospital Laboratory:After taking these drugs symptomatic, the fever did not subside, and there were some severe coughs, or chest tightness and dyspnea. However, after symptomatic treatment, some children are depressed, don’t want to eat, and have a wheezing phenomenon. They should go to the hospital as soon as possible for treatment.

　　Experts remind that winter is the season of high incidence of respiratory diseases, and citizens should pay attention to the prevention of diseases, such as washing hands frequently, ventilation, wearing masks and keeping warm.

　　When should parents take their children to see a doctor?

　　When should parents take their children to see a doctor if they have symptoms of suspected respiratory infection? What should I pay attention to when I see a doctor?

　　Experts remind that at present, the children who see a doctor are mainly influenza, and there are also mixed infections of mycoplasma pneumoniae, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus and other viruses. Whether to take children to the hospital or not, body temperature and mental state are the two most important indicators to judge.

　　Ye Leping, Chief Physician of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital:For example, the child has a low fever and occasional cough. If the symptoms are not too serious, don’t rush to the hospital for the time being. If the fever exceeds 38.5℃ and lasts for more than 48 hours, especially for infants under three years old with high fever and cough, they need to see a doctor in time. Even if some children don’t have high fever, they are advised to see a doctor in time if they have listlessness, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, and even difficulty breathing and ruddy complexion.

　　Experts remind parents that in the process of seeing a doctor, if there are previous examination results in other medical institutions, it is recommended to bring them, so as to save the time of examination and waiting. At the same time, it is suggested to record the information such as the child’s medication, the highest temperature of fever, the course of disease and symptoms, and inform the doctor at the time of treatment, so as to better help the doctor to clearly understand the child’s situation and deal with it.

　　During the hospital visit, parents should wear masks for their children to avoid increasing the risk of cross-infection. When they get home, they should wash their hands in time and disinfect their clothes. In the process of home care for children, we should pay attention to opening windows and ventilation, try to avoid going to crowded places and keep a certain social distance.

　　Does the child have a bad cough for a long time and need to see a doctor again?

　　Many children have symptoms of cough after the respiratory infection has improved, and even have a bad cough for a long time. Does this situation require a second visit to the doctor and how to deal with it?

　　First of all, it should be clear that cough is a symptom and a protective reflex, not an independent disease. Cough is caused by other diseases, and respiratory secretions and foreign bodies in the airway can be removed by coughing. Generally speaking, it is to clean up the "garbage" in the respiratory tract. If the child’s cough is not very severe and frequent, you can observe it first. If the cough gradually eases, there is no need to go to the hospital again.

　　Sang Tian, Deputy Chief Physician of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital:This is called post-infection cough, especially after mycoplasma infection. Cough can last for a long time. If the child coughs very heavily, resulting in suffocation or even coughing up too much phlegm, it is still necessary to come to the hospital to adjust the medication, but it does not necessarily mean that the longer the cough after infection, the more serious the infection. This is not directly related.

　　If the heavy cough affects sleep, you can use atomized or cough-relieving and expectorant drugs suitable for children to relieve it under the guidance of a doctor. If the cough lasts for more than one month, it is recommended to see a doctor in time and do relevant examinations under the guidance of a doctor.