Ureaplasma & Mycoplasma

Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma are two bacteria that coexist in the human body. When one is
present, the other one normally follows. They both have symptoms like most sexually
transmitted diseases, that’s why they are counted part of the STDs. More than half of those
who are infected with these bacteria show no symptoms. If left untreated, they could lead to
serious health problems and progressive infections such as chronic pelvic pain and infertility.
Testing can be performed 1-3 weeks after exposure, or if symptoms being before the 1-3
weeks.

Mycoplasma
Mycoplasma is bacterium that causes infections in different areas of your body including your
respiratory, urinary and genital tracts. Mycoplasma infections cause mild symptoms.

What is mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma is a bacterium (singular form of bacteria) that causes infections. There are
different types of mycoplasma that target specific locations in your body including your
respiratory, urinary and genital tracts.

Mycoplasmas are unique because they don’t have cell walls. Most bacteria have cell walls, and
some antibiotics attack cell walls to destroy the bacteria and make you feel better. Since
mycoplasma don’t have cell walls, those antibiotics don’t work on them.
What are the different types of mycoplasma infections?

There are several types of mycoplasma that most commonly cause

infections in humans. They include:

 Mycoplasma pneumoniae: This type of mycoplasma causes lung infections

known as “walking pneumonia” because symptoms appear as a chest cold or
mild pneumonia that doesn’t require hospitalization.

 Mycoplasma genitalium: This mycoplasma lives in your reproductive organs

and can be spread through sex. It can be present without symptoms of infection. Most
 symptoms are similar to those of a sexually transmitted infection with pain during sex
and/or discharge from your vagina or penis.

 Mycoplasma hominis: These bacteria live in your urinary tract and genitals. It
also causes infection in people with weakened immune systems. The infection can pass
from parent to child during childbirth, particularly in premature babies.

Who does mycoplasma affect?

Mycoplasma infections can affect anyone. Mycoplasma pneumoniae most commonly affects
children between the ages of 5 and 9. Outbreaks are also frequent in group environments like
residence halls or nursing homes where bacteria can easily spread from person to person.
Mycoplasma spread through close contact. Mycoplasma genitalium and mycoplasma hominis
spread through sexual contact.

How common is mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma infections are common, especially mycoplasma pneumoniae. There are an

estimated 2 million cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae infections each year in the U.S. This
bacterium is responsible for up to 20% of all community-acquired pneumonia. Infections are
most common in the summer and fall.

What are the symptoms of mycoplasma infections?

Respiratory infections

Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumoniae infections can last for just a few days or up to a month
and may appear as long as two weeks after exposure to the bacteria. The most common
symptoms of mycoplasma pneumoniae infections include:

 Dry cough.
 Fatigue.
 Fever.
 Headache.
 Sore throat.

Many cases of mycoplasma lead to mild cases of bronchitis or pneumonia that rarely lead to
hospitalization.
Urinary and genital infections

Infections with other types of mycoplasma target sexual and reproductive organs and cause
symptoms similar to a sexually transmitted infection including:

 Pain during sex.

 Pain during urination (urinary tract infections).
 Discharge from your penis or vagina.
 Swelling of your urethra (urethritis).
 Bleeding from your vagina after sex.

What causes mycoplasma infections?

Mycoplasma is a contagious bacteria. Small droplets that spread through the air after a person
infected with mycoplasma pneumoniae sneezes or coughs cause a mycoplasma infection. Some
types of mycoplasma also spread through sexual contact.

Is mycoplasma contagious?

Yes, mycoplasma is contagious. Mycoplasma pneumoniae easily spreads from an infected

person to others nearby from droplets that become airborne after a cough or sneeze while
other mycoplasma spread through sexual contact. Respiratory mycoplasma infections are
contagious for an average of 10 days and often spread in schools or places where people are in
close contact with others.

How is mycoplasma diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will diagnose a mycoplasma infection after learning about your
symptoms and the history of your illness. You may need a chest X-ray to confirm a mycoplasma
pneumoniae infection. Other tests may include:

 Culture test: This test looks for growth of mycoplasma from tissue or blood
samples. It isn’t normally used for respiratory infections but can help diagnose sexually
transmitted mycoplasma infections.

 Serology test: This test looks at a sample of your blood for antibodies to see if your
immune system is fighting a mycoplasma infection.
  PCR test (polymerase chain reaction test): A swab collects fluid, often
from your nose or throat, to detect genetic material from mycoplasma. This isn't
normally used for standard mycoplasma.

Confirming the type of infection allows your provider to offer treatment to

eliminate the bacteria from your body, but is often not necessary for
diagnosing standard respiratory mycoplasma infections.
How is mycoplasma treated?

While many antibiotics are ineffective at destroying mycoplasma bacteria, the macrolide class
of antibiotics is effective at eliminating the bacteria from your body when taken as directed.
These include:

 Erythromycin.
 Clarithromycin.
 Azithromycin.
 Doxycycline.

You can take over-the-counter (OTC) medications to relieve your symptoms if you’re congested
or have a cough.

Some cases of mycoplasma infections can resolve on their own, so treatment isn’t always
necessary, especially if you have very mild symptoms. Talk to your provider if you think you
have an infection to learn about your best treatment options.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

After you begin antibiotics, your symptoms will often decrease after two to three days but
respiratory infections may take weeks to completely resolve. Contact your healthcare provider
if you still feel sick or have symptoms after you’ve completed your antibiotics.

How can I prevent a mycoplasma infection?

There's no vaccine to prevent mycoplasma infections, and the bacteria is highly contagious. You
can take steps to protect yourself and others from the bacteria by:

 Practicing good hygiene and washing your hands often with soap and water.
  Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
 Staying home if you’re sick or wearing a mask to prevent it from spreading.
 Taking doctor-prescribed antibiotics as instructed.
 Practicing safe sex by talking about any genital symptoms, limiting the number of
partners you have and using a condom.

What can I expect if I have a mycoplasma infection?

Infections caused by mycoplasma bacteria vary based on the type and location of the infection
in your body.

Your healthcare provider may test for the type of bacteria that caused your infection.
Treatment should help you start to feel better after a few days. Some symptoms may persist
after you finish treatment but should go away in a few weeks.
How long does a mycoplasma infection last?

With treatment of antibiotics, your symptoms should start to fade after a couple of days. If you
have mycoplasma pneumoniae, your cough could last a few weeks after you’ve finished
antibiotics.

Ureaplasma

Ureaplasma is a bacteria that is commonly found in people’s urinary or genital tract. It is

parasitic, which means it needs a host, such as a human or animal, to survive.

Ureaplasma bacteria are part of the body’s bacterial population, and they live in balance,
without causing a problem, in most cases. Sometimes, however, they can increase in
populationTrusted Source, causing infection and health problems.

Ureaplasma belongs to a class of bacteria known as Mycoplasma. The Mycoplasma species are
the smallest known organisms of their type that can make a copy of themselves to reproduce.
Ureaplasma does not have a cell wall, which makes it unique among bacteria. The lack of a cell
wall makes it resistant to some common antibiotics, including penicillin. However, it can be
treated with others.

Most people have Ureaplasma in their bodies and never know it. But, Ureaplasma has been
linked to diseases and conditions that affect the male and female reproductive systems. It can
also infect newborns if the mother passes the bacteria to the infant during pregnancy.

In this article, we examine how Ureaplasma is spread, the symptoms it can cause, and what
treatment options are available.

Transmission

Ureaplasma can be passed during sexual contact. One study found that vaginal infections with
Ureaplasma were higher among women who had multiple sexual partners.

These bacteria may also be passed to a fetus or newborn if the mother has Ureaplasma
infection during pregnancy.

Ureaplasma may also be found in women who have never been sexually active, according to
another studyTrusted Source.

As such, the cause of Ureaplasma presence may not be known in some cases.

Symptoms

Ureaplasma does not cause symptoms if it is living in balance with other bacteria. A healthy
immune system can usually keep the bacteria in check, preventing them from causing infection.

If the Ureaplasma population increases, certain health problems may develop and cause
symptoms.
The following symptoms are possible signs of Ureaplasma infection and should be checked by a
doctor.

People should note that Ureaplasma may not be the only cause of these issues.

Trouble getting pregnant

Ureaplasma bacteria have been found in both men and women with infertility problems.
Infertility is defined as trying to conceive for 12 months without success.

The bacteria may affect the number of sperm and their ability to move in men. In women, it
may cause an infection that makes pregnancy more difficult to achieve.

A study found that a particular Ureaplasma known as Ureaplasma urealyticum is seen more
often in women with unexplained infertility. As a result, the authors suggest that women with
unexplained infertility should be tested for the bacteria.

A genital tract infection may cause up to 15 percent of all cases of male infertility, but not all of
these are due to Ureaplasma. Many of them are a result of sexually transmitted infections, such
as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

A reviewTrusted Source of research found that U. urealyticum was associated with a higher risk
of infertility in men. Another type, Ureaplasma parvum, was not linked to male infertility.

Pain, discharge, and itching of the genital area

Ureaplasma infection may cause some conditions that lead to pain and
discomfort in the genital area. They include:

 Urethritis: An inflammation of the urethra or tube that carries urine out of the body.
Urethritis can cause pain or burning while urinating, itching around the urethra, and an
unusual or foul-smelling discharge.
  Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An infection in the vagina. BV can cause foul-smelling or
unusual vaginal discharge, itching in and around the vagina, and burning during
urination.

Pelvic or abdominal pain

Ureaplasma has been linked to several different health problems that can cause
pain in the pelvic, abdominal, or groin area. These include:

 Prostatitis: An inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis may cause pain during
urination, cloudy or bloody urine, difficulty urinating, pain in the genital area, and an
urgent need to urinate.

 Endometritis: An inflammation of the lining of the womb. This can cause pelvic pain,
abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, and fever. Endometritis can be caused by
different bacteria, but Ureaplasma infection has been linked to the condition in the past.

 Kidney stones: Ureaplasma may play a role in the formation of kidney stones in
some people. Kidney stones can cause severe pain in the pelvic area, lower back,
abdomen, fever, problems urinating, and cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine.

Ureaplasma in pregnant women and newborns

Premature babies, especially those that weigh 1,000 grams (about 2.2 pounds) or less, may
be more proneTrusted Source to Ureaplasma infection.

Newborns may develop:

 pneumonia

 meningitis and brain injury

 lung injury and breathing problems

Also, a fetus can become infected with Ureaplasma before birth, which can lead to:

 premature rupture of membranes

 miscarriage

 premature birth

 stillbirth

Pregnant women can be treated for Ureaplasma infections, which greatly reduces the chance of
these complications.

How is Ureaplasma diagnosed?

A biopsy or swab, which is tested in a lab, is used to diagnose Ureaplasma. The biopsy or swab
may be taken from the vagina, uterine lining, urethra, or urine sample.

Due to its small size, Ureaplasma is nearly impossible to see under a microscope. Identifying
Ureaplasma requires specialized lab tests and equipment.

Treatment

Antibiotic treatment is needed for infections of Ureaplasma. Only certain antibiotics are
effective against these bacteria, however.

The antibiotic chosen depends upon the health problem being addressed, and who is being
treated. Certain antibiotics are not safe for pregnant women or newborns.

Urinary tract or genital infections caused by Ureaplasma may be treated with azithromycin or
doxycycline.

If the bacteria do not respond to these drugs, erythromycin or fluoroquinolones may be used.
Newborns with lung problems caused by Ureaplasma may be treated with erythromycin.

Pregnant women who have premature rupture of membranes may be treated with macrolide
antibiotics. These include clarithromycin, azithromycin, and erythromycin.

Treatment with an antibiotic may reduce the risk of Ureaplasma infection in the newborn.

How do you prevent Ureaplasma?

Only abstaining from sexual contact can prevent Ureaplasma transmission. But, some people
may have Ureaplasma colonization without having sex.

Ureaplasma is considered an opportunistic bacteria, which means it is found in both healthy

people and those with certain diseases.

Opportunistic bacteria may be able to make someone sick when an illness, stress, or other
opportunity weakens the immune system and allows it to multiply and further invade the body.

Getting treatment for medical conditions and having regular checkups with a doctor may help
prevent these opportunities from occurring.

Outlook

The outlook for Ureaplasma infection depends upon what health problems it is causing, and the
severity of the condition. Fortunately, certain antibiotics are effective against the bacteria and
often clear up infections when taken as directed.

Pregnant women should see their obstetrician regularly for prenatal checkups and should
discuss any unusual symptoms. This can help avoid any complications for the mother or baby.