Is mycoplasma a new silent sexual contact disease?

The disease was discovered in the 1980s, but has reached its epidemiological peak in recent years.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, syphilis and human papillomavirus? Most people are familiar with the most common sexually transmitted diseases in men and women. But there are other lesser-known silent enemies. Mycoplasma genitalium is an infection that has surpassed gonorrhea and affects about 1% of young adults, according to Dr. Carla Ferez Garcia, of the Gynecology of the Gregorio University Hospital and Department of Obstetrics. Marañón. This expert gives us the key to protect ourselves from this disease.

It is a bacterium that settles in the urinary tract and causes urethritis in men and cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. It was discovered by researchers at the University of London in the 1980s, but its spread has increased in recent years and is more pronounced in people who are already infected with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Like other diseases, it is transmitted during unsafe or unprotected sexual activity. Symptoms.

What can cause this disease in humans?

In men, up to 70% of those infected develop a UTI, with symptoms such as itching during urination, itching in the urethra and pus in the urethra. In women, the infection presents as an inflammation of the cervix, which does not usually cause symptoms, but in some cases there may be changes in vaginal discharge, bleeding during intercourse and itching during urination.

Women may also develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) with abdominal pain, discomfort during intercourse, heavy vaginal discharge and foul odor. The development can last up to six months.

Similar symptoms can be caused by other bacteria and require differential diagnosis with pathogens such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, ureaplasma or genital herpes viruses. Some studies have shown a close relationship between genital mycoplasma infection and HIV infection.

It is also being investigated as a possible cause of some infertility and ectopic pregnancy when detected in the vagina, cervix and endometrium.

Treatment.

There is no standard test to diagnose this infection, but a genital swab is usually taken in women and a urine sample in men. Testing is necessary if any of these symptoms are present. Even if the partner or sexual partner is diagnosed, treatment may be necessary given the high incidence of the disease.

This consists of a course of antibiotics (azithromycin) for 1-14 days. As usual, a condom should be used to avoid infection.