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 sewage. They are able to provoke the development of the disease not only in humans, but also in animals. The causative agents of the disease 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.
Feature of the disease
The causative agents of mycoplasmosis are conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. They can act as a normal microflora of the genital organs or provoke the development of serious diseases. In modern medicine, Mycoplasma hominis and genitalium are mainly isolated, as they are capable of provoking inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a very common cause of infectionsrespiratory organs.
Mycoplasmas are not independent microorganisms, which is why they can exist only by joining the cells of the human body. Thus, they receive all the required substances for their growth. In women, mycoplasmas are mainly located on the cervix, vagina or urethra, and in men - on the foreskin and in the urethra. With a sharp decrease in immunity, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, pathogens begin to multiply rapidly and damage the cells of the body.
Carriers of mycoplasmas are mostly women, but the first signs appear much faster in men, especially those who are promiscuous. It may take 1-3 weeks from the moment of penetration of microorganisms to the appearance of the first signs.
Main species
There are many varieties of mycoplasmosis, but the most common types of the disease are respiratory and urogenital. The respiratory type of the disease is transmitted mainly from mother to fetus through the placenta. It is subdivided into mycoplasmal bronchitis and pneumonia. The former are similar in their course to the flu or other 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 acutely, with a sharp increase in temperature, severe cough and nasal congestion. After the lungs are involved in the pathological process, an even greater increase in temperature occurs,shortness of breath occurs, the cough becomes wet, with sputum. The duration of the course of the disease is approximately 2-3 months.
In a complicated variant of the disease, the treatment of mycoplasmosis is carried out only in a hospital. For therapy, antitussive, antibacterial, antipyretic, expectorant drugs, as well as vitamins are used.
Urogenital mycoplasmosis appears within 3 weeks after infection. Often, pathogens penetrate sexually, but the contact method of infection is not excluded. Downstream it happens:
- asymptomatic;
- spicy;
- chronic.
Manifested as a slight discharge from the urethra. In addition, the patient may be disturbed by itching of the genital organs, pain in the lower abdomen, as well as cramps during urination. Chronic mycoplasmosis over time can lead to various kinds of complications. For women, this is infertility, miscarriage or premature birth. Men are often characterized by infertility.
Causes of disease
Until now, doctors cannot give an unambiguous answer under what circumstances mycoplasma becomes the cause of the disease. According to many experts, such microorganisms themselves do not pose a danger, since they can be parasites and are found in perfectly he althy people. The main causes of the disease include the following:
- sexual contact;
- through the placenta from mother to fetus;
- when passingthrough infected genital tract.
It is worth noting that the contact-household transmission route is completely excluded today.
Main symptoms
Depending on the symptoms of mycoplasmosis, treatment is selected strictly individually. Often, the urogenital type of the disease does not have severe symptoms that would make it possible to accurately diagnose. Basically, such an infection proceeds hidden. The development of the disease is indicated by the signs inherent in all infections of the genitourinary system.
Men are characterized by the following symptoms:
- frequent urination;
- discharge from the urethra;
- pain.
In women during the course of the disease, the following signs are distinguished:
- pain and discomfort;
- vaginal discharge;
- itching and pain.
If all these symptoms occur, you should definitely consult a doctor and get tested for sexually transmitted diseases, including mycoplasmosis.
Diagnostics
Before treating mycoplasmosis, an accurate diagnosis must be made, which is often quite difficult to do. This is explained by the fact that the disease does not have signs characteristic only for it. The main symptoms can occur in the course of other pathologies. However, the presence of chronic inflammation is a reason for laboratory research. These diagnostic methods canattributed to:
- bacterioscopic method;
- PCR method;
- bacteriological culture;
- serological method.
The bacterioscopic method implies that pathogens can be detected using a microscope 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 if a respiratory type of the disease is suspected, as well as a swab from the vagina and urethra - in case of a urogenital type of disease.
Features of treatment
If during the course of the diagnosis the test for the presence of the pathogen of mycoplasma gave a positive result, it is not an absolute indication for the treatment of mycoplasmosis. If there are severe symptoms of a gynecological or urological infection, it is necessary to select a therapeutic strategy that will eliminate it.
Treatment of mycoplasmosis is a very complex process, mostly it is carried out in a complex manner. Antibacterial therapy has the greatest effect. However, it is worth remembering that not all antibiotics are capable of destroying 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 stable immunity to this infection, so both partners need to be treated at the same time. In doing so, it is necessary to take into account the possibility ofrelapses. Therefore, to prevent re-infection and improve the effectiveness of therapy, many doctors use innovative technologies. They involve the administration of high doses of antibiotics and plasmapheresis at the same time.
Of course, antibacterial therapy is supplemented with antifungal drugs that are active against the simplest unicellular organisms. In addition, physical therapy is required.
Topical therapy includes suppositories, inhalants and douches. To increase immunity, vitamins and enzymes are needed that speed up metabolism and enhance the effect of drugs. It is also important to follow a special diet, avoid sexual intercourse until complete recovery, and sometimes bed rest.
In case of complications caused 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 drugs and their dosage purely individually.
Folk techniques
Treatment of mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis can be carried out using folk remedies and techniques. However, they can only be used in uncomplicated cases. A decoction of goldenrod is considered a good remedy, which must be taken 4-6 times a day. The course of therapy continues for 21 days.
Herbal collection helps to quickly eliminate the infection and the existing unpleasant symptoms. In histhe composition includes such herbs as winter-loving, upland uterus, wintergreen. You can use a mixture of oak bark and boron 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 disease. Children may be carriers of mycoplasma, in which case the disease proceeds without visible clinical signs.
The first symptoms appear after stress or against the background of reduced immunity. There are several types of mycoplasmosis in children:
- pneumatic;
- perinatal;
- respiratory;
- urogenital;
- generalized.
The respiratory form is characterized by high fever, signs of intoxication, and damage to the respiratory system. Rarely, symptoms of obstruction may be observed. With improper treatment, various complications can occur, the addition 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 mild, shortness of breath appears, and there may be pain in the joints. This form is characterized by paroxysmal dry cough, which after about a month becomes wet, with a large amount of purulent sputum, possibly even with blood impurities.
Urogenit althe form is characterized by the same features as in adults. It does not occur so often, 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 the infection occurs in utero from a sick mother. The child is born prematurely and does not correspond to its developmental period. In addition, there are pathologies of the respiratory system, pathological jaundice, abnormalities in the functioning of the brain, and the immune system is very poorly developed. As a result of this, thrush develops, and the umbilical wound does not heal for a long time. Fetal death possible.
The generalized form is characterized by the fact that mycoplasmas infect almost the entire body. Survival in this case is not very high. For the treatment of mycoplasmosis, the doctor selects drugs purely individually, taking into account the peculiarities of the course of the disease. Therapy of the pulmonary and respiratory form implies the use of symptomatic drugs. When the temperature rises, antipyretics are prescribed. Be sure to need multivitamins, plenty of fluids. In case of 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 detectedOften. This is mainly due to changes in hormonal levels, as well as many other physiological processes. The presence of this disease provokes a serious risk of preterm birth and the birth of a child with low body weight. The baby can become infected through the placenta or when passing through the birth canal. To prevent serious consequences, you need to undergo an examination even during pregnancy planning.
Treatment of mycoplasmosis and chlamydia should be based on the following principles:
- need 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 antibacterial drugs are able to cross the placenta, they must be selected carefully, taking into account possible risks.
Disease in animals and birds
Symptoms and treatment of mycoplasmosis in chickens is always a very serious problem for farmers. It belongs to one of the most frequent infectious diseases that affects the respiratory organs, is very acute or becomes chronic. 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 must be isolated,because without quarantine, therapy will not bring the desired result.
Mycoplasmosis in dogs can be rather complicated and dangerous. Symptoms and treatment largely depend on the course of the disease. Basically, the disease manifests itself in the form of lesions of the conjunctiva, infections of the respiratory and genitourinary systems.
In case of eye damage, local treatment of mycoplasmosis in dogs is prescribed. The 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, the treatment of mycoplasmosis in dogs involves the use of homeopathic and symptomatic preparations.
Possible Complications
These include:
- encephalitis;
- bronchiectasis;
- pyelonephritis;
- arthritis;
- preterm 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
There is no vaccine against mycoplasmosis. That is why preventive measures imply the use of the same methods as in cold forms of the disease. To prevent the genital form of the disease, it is necessary to exclude casual sex and conduct a thorough examination of pregnant women.
