On a calm spring morning, Uncle Li, a 70-year-old retired teacher, stood in the garden in front of his window, looking at the first flowers. His mood was not as bright as the scenery around him. He has been having a persistent low-grade fever, dry cough and chest tightness since he had a cold last week. For this old man, who loves gardening and teaching, this discomfort casts a shadow over his daily life.
When he was younger, he once tried Chinese medicine treatment for a minor illness, and that experience left a deep impression on him. Therefore, when his old friend suggested that he try the banlan root pellets, he was curious, but also had reservations. As one of the common herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, Banlan root is said to have a certain effect on treating colds, but Uncle Li is skeptical about whether it can alleviate the symptoms of his mycoplasma infection.
He remembers hearing about mycoplasma infection at a community health lecture. Symptoms of this infection include fever, cough, and sometimes even more serious breathing problems, as mentioned in the lecture. Uncle Li began to wonder if his symptoms were mycoplasma infection?
He decided to go to a community clinic for a doctor's opinion. Walking on the road to the clinic, Uncle Li's heart was full of doubts and expectations. He knew that this medical consultation was not only about his own health, but also a new beginning for him to learn about traditional Chinese medicine.
Worried, he decided to seek help from a community hospital. There, doctors recommended that he do a blood test and X-ray to rule out other serious respiratory ailments. The results of the examination showed that Uncle Li's symptoms were consistent with mycoplasma infection. The doctor explained that mycoplasma infection is a common respiratory infection that usually requires treatment with specific antibiotics.
Mycoplasma is a cell-walled microorganism that can cause a variety of respiratory diseases. Typical symptoms include cough, fever, and chest pain. Due to its unique biological properties, mycoplasma infections cannot be treated with conventional antibiotics and require the use of specific antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline.
On the way home, Uncle Li pondered the doctor's advice. He still has a strong interest in traditional Chinese medicine, especially for Banlangen granules. Banlan root, originated from traditional Chinese medicine, has a long history, mainly used to treat fever, sore throat and other symptoms. It contains a variety of bioactive constituents, such as glycosides and polysaccharides, which have traditionally been believed to have heat-clearing and detoxifying properties.
After returning home, Uncle Li began to look up modern medical research on Banlangen on the Internet. He found that while some studies have shown anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, scientific evidence is still limited on its direct therapeutic effect against mycoplasma infection. Some studies have suggested that Radix may play a role in symptom reduction and adjuvant therapy, but it is not a complete substitute for antibiotic therapy.
Late at night, Uncle Li tossed and turned. He hesitated between traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine. On the one hand, he wants to follow the doctor's advice on antibiotics, and on the other hand, he also wants to give traditional Chinese medicine a chance. He realized that choosing a treatment option was not only a medical issue, but also a consideration of culture and beliefs.
The biggest conflict facing Uncle Li is the choice between Chinese and Western medicine. On the one hand, he has some trust in traditional Chinese medicine, especially Banlangen granules, and on the other hand, he is also concerned about the effectiveness of this traditional medicine in modern medicine. His inner struggle exemplifies the confusion and uncertainty that many older people face when faced with the treatment of their disease.
The doctor explained to Uncle Li some scientific studies about the granules of Banlangen. Although it has some anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects, it does not have a direct therapeutic effect against bacterial diseases such as mycoplasma infection. The doctor mentioned some studies that show that Banlangen granules have a certain effect in relieving cold symptoms and boosting immunity, but this does not mean that it can treat all types of infections.
Following the doctor's advice, Uncle Li started antibiotic treatment. During this period, he also followed the doctor's instructions to take Banlangen granules in moderation to relieve cough and low-grade fever symptoms. After a few days, his symptoms improved significantly and his strength gradually recovered. This experience made Uncle Li better understand the importance of scientific selection and use of drugs in the treatment of diseases.