Mycoplasma Genitalium; A Rising Sexual Disease To Be Aware Of

Mycoplasma genitalium

This bacteria infection has been found to invade and colonize the urethra and genital tract of men and women through sexual contact.

This bacteria belongs to the family Mycoplasmataceae with class mollicutes.

Mycoplasma infection has been listed as an emerging issue by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and was first identified in the 1980s to be a sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Statistics on M. genitalium infection shows that younger age of below 30years have more of this infection than older age of above 30years.

It is sexually transmitted and it is capable of causing the genital parts of men and women to be swollen. Other problems associated with this bacteria include some cases of arthritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and infertility problems.

It is mostly spread through unprotected intercourse and studies show that it can be detected in fluid from vagina, rectum, and penis and has so far not being found in the throat fluid.

Symptoms of Infection 

Mycoplasma genitalium infection can sometimes be prevalent without showing symptoms, meaning that some persons can have it without knowing it.

Some of the symptoms of this bacteria infection include;

• Burning sensation when you pee
• Watery discharged from your penis
• Pain during sex
• Bleeding after having sex
• Discharge from vagina
• Bleeding between periods
• Having pain in your pelvic area

Read Also; How You Can Prevent Pelvic Inflammatory Disease 

In women, if not properly treated and treated on time it will lead to the infection of the cervix (opening of the uterus) and consequently affect the fallopian tube causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

For men, this infection can lead to a health problem known as urethritis, which has to do with the infection of the urinary canal that connects the bladder to the penis.

It takes about 2 to 35 days for an infected person to start developing symptoms and can infect other people until the appropriate antibiotic treatment has been completely taken and the infection is gone.

Diagnosis 

To identify this infection, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is carried out in a laboratory by using the person’s urine or discharge from the urethra or cervix.

Mycoplasma genitalium infection treatment

Effective antibiotic treatment can help treat this infection if the appropriate measure is taken on time.

Antibiotics such as a 1g dose of azithromycin have been reported to be commonly used.

You should see a doctor if there is a notice of any of the above symptoms for proper examination and treatment.

If symptoms persist you may need to be referred for specialist attention.

Prevention of Mycoplasma genitalium

• Ensure to practice safer sex
• Carry out test ones in no distant time to make sure immediate treatment is carried out to avoid acute occurrence and complications
• Try as much as possible to know your partner’s status
• Avoid many sex partners
• Regular sexual and genital hygiene

Studies show that the risk of being infected with this disease increases as the numbers of your sex partners increases.

Mycoplasma Genitalium; A Rising Sexual Disease To Be Aware Of

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Raphael Okhueleigbe

Raphael Osas Okhueleigbe is a Blogger, Content creator, Agricultural Economist, Resource manager, and the founder of greener health.

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