Mycoplasma

How common is Mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma infections are common, and the occurrence of the disease varies depending on the specific type of infection, the population being studied, and geographic location.

How can I catch Mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma can be passed from one person to another through various ways depending on the type of infection. Different types of Mycoplasma infections include:

• Mycoplasma genitalium: It is usually spread through unprotected sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

• Mycoplasma hominis: It can be spread sexually from vaginal, anal, and oral sex, or through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as shared towels or clothing.

• Mycoplasma pneumonia: It can be spread through respiratory secretions (coughs or sneezes) of an infected person or contact with contaminated surfaces.

Can I catch Mycoplasma without being sexually active?

Mycoplasma can be caught even if you are not sexually active. It can also pass through respiratory secretions or contact with contaminated surfaces. It can also be transmitted from mother-to-child during childbirth.

It is important to practice good hygiene and take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of catching Mycoplasma infections.

What are the signs and symptoms of Mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma infection symptoms can vary depending on the type of infection and the part of the body infected by it. Some of the common signs and symptoms of different types of Mycoplasma infections include:

• Mycoplasma genitalium: Symptoms can include pain or burning during urination, genital discharge, and pelvic pain or discomfort. However, in many cases there may be no symptoms at all.

• Mycoplasma hominis: It can cause symptoms like genital discharge, pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse, and pelvic pain. Some people may not show any symptoms.

• Mycoplasma pneumonia: It has symptoms like cough, fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and shortness of breath, often accompanied by a dry cough lasting several weeks.

When should I get tested for Mycoplasma?

You may wish to be tested for Mycoplasma if you experience any symptoms of infection, such as pain or discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse, genital discharge, cough, fever or pelvic pain.

Also, if you have had unprotected sex with someone, or if you are starting a new sexual relationship, you may want to consider getting tested as a precaution.

How do I get tested for Mycoplasma?

Take charge of your sexual health with Better2Know tests. Testing with Better2Know is fast, simple, and painless. The testing method for Mycoplasma requires a simple urine sample to be provided. Better2Know can also test for Mycoplasma on a swab taken from the anal or genital area.

You can book a test today with Better2Know by calling our Sexual Health Advisory team on the number above or online by clicking the Get Started button.

What are the risks if Mycoplasma is left untreated?

If Mycoplasma is not treated, it can cause similar complications to chlamydia. The risks associated with untreated Mycoplasma can vary depending on the type of the infection, but may include:

• Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis: If left untreated it can cause serious complications, like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and increased risk catching or transmitting other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Mycoplasma pneumonia: If left untreated it can cause respiratory failure, lung abscesses, and in rare cases, death.

How can Mycoplasma affect a pregnant person and their baby?

Mycoplasma can harm the health of both pregnant women and their babies. It may increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and preterm birth. It can also cause pneumonia and sepsis, low birth weight, and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

It is important for pregnant people to get tested for Mycoplasma during their pregnancy so that they can receive timely treatment and protect the health of their baby.

What do I do if I test positive for Mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma can usually be treated with a short course of antibiotics. If you receive a positive test result, you should discuss this with a doctor of your choice. If you would like us to arrange a private doctor’s appointment for you, please phone the number at the top of the page.

During your treatment for Mycoplasma, you can infect others so you should avoid close contact and sex with others until you have finished your course of antibiotics and your symptoms have disappeared.

You may choose to have a repeat test at the end of your treatment to check the medication has worked.

How is Mycoplasma treated?

Mycoplasma infections can easily be treated with a short course of antibiotics. The type of antibiotic prescribed by your doctor will depend on the type of Mycoplasma bacteria causing the infection and the severity of the symptoms.

It is important to complete the full course of medication and avoid engaging in sexual activities to prevent reinfection. You may also take another test after you have completed your treatment to make sure that the STI has been completely cleared from your body.

At Better2Know we can arrange a private doctor’s appointment. If you prefer you can consult a doctor of your choice.

Can Mycoplasma come back?

You should consider a re-test for Mycoplasma 2 weeks after finishing your treatment. This is to check that the infection has completely cleared. There are some emerging strains of Mycoplasma that are resistant to certain antibiotics so tests of cure are always a good idea following treatment for Mycoplasma. To reduce the risk of a repeat infection, it is important to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor.

Practicing good hygiene habits, such as washing your hands frequently and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, can also help prevent the spread of the infection. If you think you have been reinfected, you should retest for Mycoplasma.

When can I have sex again after being treated for Mycoplasma?

You should not have sex until your treatment has finished, even if you have no symptoms. This is to prevent you from infecting your sexual partner(s) with Mycoplasma.

How do I book a Mycoplasma test?

Better2Know is the world’s leading provider of private sexual health testing services. We provide you

with fast and accurate testing to give you peace of mind.

You can book a test today with Better2Know by calling our Sexual Health Advisory team on the number above. Our expert Patient Services staff will help you select the right test and book any follow-up appointments if requested. If you prefer to book your test online, you can do so by clicking the Get Started button above.