A unique bacterium that does not have a cell wall and causes infections is called Mycoplasma. That’s why most antibiotics cannot destroy them. While some infections do not need treatment because they disappear on their own, others may need a specific type of antibiotics to treat them.
This bacterium may affect different parts of the body, including the lungs, urinary system, and genital area. One of the most common types of mycoplasma infection is lung infections.
Types of Mycoplasma
In general, there are three types of mycoplasma that cause bacterial infections. These include:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae – This form of mycoplasma often affects the lungs and causes lung infections (also known as “walking pneumonia”). Sometimes, it causes a mild form of pneumonia that does not need hospitalization.
- Mycoplasma genitalium – This type of bacterium lives in the reproductive organs and may spread through sexual intercourse to other people. Most of the time, it causes symptoms similar to those of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These include pain during sex, discharge from the vagina or penis, rash, and others.
- Mycoplasma hominis – In such cases, this bacterium lives in the urinary tract and genitals. It often causes infections in people with a weakened immune system. Furthermore, Mycoplasma hominis can pass from the biological parent to the biological children during childbirth.
Symptoms
While some types of mycoplasma infections do not cause any symptoms, some of them may cause symptoms that last up to 1 month. Usually, they appear within 2-3 weeks after exposure to this bacterium. Check the most common symptoms of mycoplasma infections below:
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Skin rash
- Painful blisters on the skin
- Ear pain
- Inflammation
- Urethritis
- Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Headaches
- Sore throat
If you or your child experiences any of the symptoms listed above, immediately contact your healthcare professional. Otherwise, it may lead to unpleasant outcomes.
Causes and Risk Factors
This type of bacterial infection occurs due to a contagious bacterium called Mycoplasma. The most common form is Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It spreads through air droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. Usually, a mycoplasma infection is contagious for about 10 days. Healthcare professionals have identified certain factors that could elevate your risk of developing mycoplasma infections. These include:
- Other health conditions – These include existing lung disorders (including asthma).
- Living or traveling in crowded settings (for example, residence halls, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and others)
- Age – While these infections can happen at any age, they mostly occur in people from 5 to 17 years old.
- Weakened immune system – It is often caused by other health conditions (such as cancer or HIV infection) or certain medications (including immunosuppressants).
- Unprotected sexual intercourse
- Multiple sexual partners
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Recent infection recovery
What Happens if Mycoplasma is Left Untreated?
People who develop these infections may also experience some complications, especially if they leave it untreated. Check some examples below:
- Pleural effusion
- Skin disorders (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- A severe form of pneumonia, which can be life-threatening
- Kidney problems
- Asthma attacks
- Hemolytic anemia
- Encephalitis
- Empyema
- Meningitis
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Peripheral neuritis
- Blood clotting problems
- Ataxia
- Acute hepatitis
- Renal failure
- Myocarditis
- Arrhythmia
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Infertility
The previous list does not contain a full list of complications. However, you can consult with your doctor about ways to reduce the risk or even prevent them.
How to Prevent Mycoplasma?
Unfortunately, there is no sure way (such as vaccines) to prevent mycoplasma infections. However, doctors may recommend the following tips to reduce the risk. Examples include:
- Cover your nose and mouth when you or someone near you coughs or sneezes
- Stay home if you are sick, or wear a mask to prevent spreading
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water
- Administer antibiotics exactly as recommended by your doctor. Otherwise, the infection may return, and it becomes more difficult to treat.
Diagnosis
First, physicians will perform a physical examination to check for abnormalities linked to the infection. Thus, they may also ask some questions about your medical history and symptoms. However, to confirm or exclude Mycoplasma, doctors usually perform the following tests. These include:
- PCR test (polymerase chain reaction test) – During this test, doctors will collect fluid from the nose or throat to check for mycoplasma.
- Serology test – During this test, physicians will take a sample of blood to check for specific antibodies.
- Coombs test – This test is used to check for antibodies that cause damage to the red blood cells.
- Imaging tests – The following imaging tests are used to get detailed images of different tissues and organs in the body. Usually, they are used when doctors suspect Mycoplasma pneumoniae. For example, CT (computerized tomography) scans, X-rays, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans.
Treatment
Some types of mycoplasma cause mild infections that do not need treatment. You can use over-the-counter medicines to relieve the symptoms (such as cough or fever). However, if you develop a more severe type of mycoplasma infection, you may need one of the following antibiotics. These include:
- Macrolide antibiotics (including Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, and Erythromycin)
- Tetracycline antibiotics (such as Doxycycline)
- Fluoroquinolone (it is used for people with weakened immune systems)
How Soon After Treatment Will I Feel Better?
Mostly, the symptoms improve within several days after starting the treatment with antibiotics. However, the respiratory system may last up to 1-2 weeks to completely resolve. If you still have respiratory symptoms after finishing the course of antibiotics, immediately contact your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see my healthcare provider?
If you experience symptoms that resemble bacterial infections and last more than several days, immediately contact your physician.
How long does a mycoplasma infection last?
Mild forms of mycoplasma infection often disappear within 3-4 days, but a more serious infection often clears within 2-3 weeks. Discuss it with your doctor for more details.
How serious is Mycoplasma?
While most infections caused by mycoplasma are mild, some people can develop severe and dangerous infections that require hospitalization. However, mycoplasma infections are rarely fatal. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
