The causative agents of mycoplasmosis are microorganisms of the Mycoplasmatacea family. They are very small, much smaller than other bacteria. Because of this, they are almost impossible to see in a conventional light microscope. Pathogens are common in the environment, especially soil and wastewater. They are able to provoke the development of the disease not only in humans, but also in animals. Pathogens are very sensitive to antibacterial drugs. In addition, outside the human body, they die very quickly when boiled, as well as from exposure to ultraviolet radiation and disinfectant solutions.
Disease feature
The causative agents of mycoplasmosis are opportunistic microorganisms. They can act as normal microflora of the genital organs or provoke the development of serious diseases. In modern medicine, Mycoplasma hominis and genitalium are mainly isolated, since they are able to provoke inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system. Mycoplasma pneumoniae very often causes respiratory infections.
Mycoplasmas are not independent microorganisms, which is why they can exist only by joining the cells of the human body. Thus, they get all the required substances for their growth. In women, mycoplasmas are mainly located on the cervix, vagina or in the urethra, and in men - on the foreskin and in the urethra. With a sharp decrease in immunity, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, pathogens begin to multiply sharply and damage the cells of the body.
Mycoplasma carriers are mainly women, but the first signs are much faster in men, especially those who have an erratic sex life. From the moment of penetration of microorganisms and until the onset of the first signs, 1-3 weeks can pass.
Main types
There are many varieties of mycoplasmosis , but the most common types of disease are respiratory and urogenital. The respiratory type of disease is transmitted mainly from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. It is divided into mycoplasma bronchitis and pneumonia. The former are similar in their course to flu or another viral infection, only with a longer course.
The incubation period is 1-2 weeks. In some cases, it can reach 3-4 weeks. The disease begins very sharply, with a sharp increase in temperature, a strong cough and nasal congestion. After involvement in the pathological process of the lungs, an even greater increase in temperature occurs, shortness of breath occurs, the cough becomes moist, with the release of sputum. The duration of the course of the disease is approximately 2-3 months.
With a complicated version of the disease, treatment of mycoplasmosis is carried out only in a hospital setting. For the treatment, antitussive, antibacterial, antipyretic, expectorant drugs, and vitamins are used.
Urogenital mycoplasmosis manifests itself within 3 weeks after infection. Often pathogens penetrate sexually, however, a contact method of infection is not excluded. With the stream, it happens:
- asymptomatic
- acute;
- chronic.
It manifests itself in the form of minor discharge from the urethra. In addition, the patient may be disturbed by itching of the genitals, pain in the lower abdomen, as well as pain when urinating. Chronic mycoplasmosis over time can lead to various complications. For women, this is infertility, miscarriage, or premature birth. For men, infertility is often characteristic.
The causes of the disease
Until now, doctors have not been able to give a definite answer, under what circumstances mycoplasma becomes the cause of the development of the disease. According to many experts, such microorganisms themselves are not dangerous, since they can be parasites, and are found in completely healthy people. The main causes of the disease include the following:
- sexual contact;
- through the placenta from mother to fetus;
- when passing through an infected genital tract.
It is worth noting that the contact-household transmission path is currently completely excluded.
The main symptoms
Depending on what are the symptoms of mycoplasmosis, treatment is selected strictly individually. Often, the urogenital type of the disease does not have pronounced symptoms, which would make it possible to accurately diagnose. Basically, this infection is hidden. The development of the disease is indicated by signs inherent in all infections of the genitourinary system.
For men, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- frequent urination
- discharge from the urethra;
- painful sensations.
In women, during the course of the disease, the following symptoms are distinguished:
- pain and discomfort;
- vaginal discharge;
- itching and cramping.
If all these symptoms occur, you should definitely consult a doctor and be examined for sexually transmitted diseases, including mycoplasmosis.
Diagnostics
Before treating mycoplasmosis, you need to accurately make a diagnosis, which is often quite difficult to do. This is explained by the fact that the disease has no signs characteristic only for it. The main symptoms can occur during other pathologies. However, the presence of chronic inflammation is an occasion for laboratory studies. These diagnostic methods include:
- bacterioscopic method;
- PCR method;
- bacteriological culture;
- serological method.
The bacterioscopic method implies that with the help of a microscope, pathogens can be detected so that mycoplasmosis can be excluded. The PCR method is considered one of the most effective methods for determining mycoplasma. The material is mucus from the nasopharynx or sputum in cases of suspected respiratory illness, as well as a swab from the vagina and urethra in case of an urogenital type of the disease.
Treatment features
If during the diagnostic test for the presence of the pathogen of mycoplasma gave a positive result, it is not an absolute indication for the treatment of mycoplasmosis. In the presence of severe symptoms of a gynecological or urological infection, it is necessary to select a therapeutic strategy that will eliminate it.
The treatment of mycoplasmosis is a very complex process, mainly it is carried out comprehensively. Antibacterial therapy has the greatest effect. However, it is worth remembering that not all antibiotics can destroy pathogens, which is why drugs should be prescribed only by the attending doctor.
It is worth noting that the human body is not able to develop a stable immunity to this infection, therefore both partners need to be treated simultaneously. In this case, one must take into account the likelihood of relapse. Therefore, to prevent re-infection and increase the effectiveness of therapy, many doctors use innovative technologies. They mean the introduction of high doses of antibiotics and at the same time plasmapheresis.
Necessarily antibacterial therapy is supplemented by antifungal drugs that are active against the simplest unicellular organisms. In addition, physiotherapeutic treatment is required.
Local therapy includes the use of suppositories, inhalation solutions and douching. To increase immunity, vitamins and enzymes are needed that accelerate the metabolism and enhance the effects of drugs. It is also important to follow a special diet, refusal from sexual intercourse until complete recovery, and sometimes compliance with bed rest.
With the complications provoked by this disease, symptomatic therapy is also prescribed, that is, organs that are affected during the course of the pathology are treated. The treatment of mycoplasmosis in men and women is almost the same, however, the doctor selects all the drugs and their dosage purely individually.
Folk techniques
Treatment of mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis can be carried out using folk remedies and techniques. However, their use is possible only with uncomplicated course. A good remedy is a decoction of goldenrod, which should be taken 4-6 times a day. The course of therapy lasts for 21 days.
Herbal collection helps to quickly eliminate the infection and the existing unpleasant symptoms. Its composition includes herbs such as the winterhub, boron uterus, and wintergreen. You can use a mixture of oak bark and uterine uterus as an infusion for douching.
Disease in children
Symptoms and treatment of mycoplasmosis in children can be very different, but in any case this is a rather serious disease. The incubation period can be from 4 days to 3 weeks, it all depends on the form of the course of the disease. Children can be carriers of mycoplasma, and in this case, the disease proceeds without visible clinical signs.
The first symptoms appear after stress or against a background of reduced immunity. There are several types of mycoplasmosis in children:
- pneumonic;
- perinatal;
- respiratory;
- urogenital;
- generalized.
The respiratory form is characterized by the fact that a high fever rises, signs of intoxication are observed, and respiratory organs are also affected. Rarely, obstruction symptoms may occur. With incorrect treatment, various kinds of complications may occur, the attachment of other pathogens.
The pneumonic form is characterized by the fact that during its acute development during the week the temperature rises significantly, signs of intoxication are weakly expressed, shortness of breath appears, there may be joint pain. This form is characterized by a paroxysmal dry cough, which becomes moist after about a month, with the separation of a large amount of purulent sputum, possibly even with impurities of blood.
The urogenital form is characterized by the same symptoms as in adults. It is not so common, it mainly occurs in adolescence. Since the consequences can be very serious, timely diagnosis and treatment of mycoplasmosis in children is required.
The perinatal form is characterized by the fact that infection occurs in utero from a sick mother. In this case, the baby is born prematurely and does not meet its developmental period. In addition, there are pathologies of the respiratory system, pathological jaundice, abnormalities in the brain, and the immune system is very poorly developed. As a result of this, thrush develops, and also for a long time the umbilical wound does not heal. Possible intrauterine death of the fetus.
The generalized form is characterized by the fact that mycoplasmas affect almost the entire body. Survival in this case is not very large. For the treatment of mycoplasmosis, the doctor selects the drugs purely individually, taking into account the particular course of the disease. Therapy of the pulmonary and respiratory forms implies the use of symptomatic drugs. With an increase in temperature, antipyretic drugs are prescribed. Multivitamins, plentiful drink are surely required. With a severe course of the disease, antibacterial agents are additionally prescribed.
For the treatment of the urogenital form, antibiotics are used orally and topically as a cream. In addition, immunostimulants, multivitamins and probiotics are required.
Features of the course of the disease during pregnancy
Mycoplasmosis during pregnancy is detected very often. This mainly occurs as a result of changes in the hormonal background, as well as many other physiological processes. The presence of this disease provokes a serious risk of premature birth and the birth of a child with a low body weight. The baby can become infected through the placenta or while passing through the birth canal. To prevent serious consequences, you need to be examined even during pregnancy planning.
The treatment of mycoplasmosis and chlamydia should be based on the following principles:
- it is necessary to prevent the transmission of pathogens to the fetus;
- therapy is prescribed only after diagnosis;
- treatment should be complete and gentle.
Due to the fact that most of the antibacterial drugs are able to penetrate the placenta, they must be selected very carefully, taking into account possible risks.
Disease in animals and birds
Symptoms and treatment of mycoplasmosis in chickens always become a very serious problem for farmers. It belongs to one of the most common infectious diseases that affects the respiratory organs, is very acute, or goes into the chronic stage. Infection occurs through food, water, through the air, through the bites of small parasites and ticks.
Treatment of mycoplasmosis in chickens largely depends on the results of the diagnosis. When confirming the course of the disease, a variety of drugs are used. First of all, infected individuals need to be isolated, since without quarantine therapy will not bring the desired result.
Mycoplasmosis in dogs can be quite complicated and dangerous. Symptoms and treatment largely depend on the characteristics of the course of the disease. Basically, the disease manifests itself in the form of conjunctival lesions, infections of the respiratory system and the genitourinary system.
In case of eye damage, topical treatment of mycoplasmosis in dogs is prescribed. Therapy is carried out according to the classical scheme and takes a lot of time. It is worth noting that the prescribed drugs have a number of side effects. In addition to the basic methods of therapy, treatment of mycoplasmosis in dogs implies the use of homeopathic and symptomatic drugs.
Possible complications
These include:
- encephalitis;
- bronchiectasis;
- pyelonephritis;
- arthritis;
- premature birth;
- infertility.
To prevent the occurrence of serious consequences, at the slightest suspicion of the course of mycoplasmosis, you need to contact a pulmonologist, urologist or gynecologist.
Prophylaxis
Mycoplasmosis vaccine does not exist. That is why preventive measures imply the use of the same methods as with colds. To prevent the genital form of the disease, it is necessary to exclude accidental sexual relations and conduct a thorough examination of pregnant women.