How to Treat Mycoplasma Infections

A mycoplasma infection is caused by a member of the Mycoplasma genus, usually Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It usually causes respiratory infections and is not particularly contagious because it requires prolonged contact with the respiratory secretions of an infected person to be transmitted. It is the leading cause of pneumonia among older children and young adults but rarely affects children under the age of five. The following steps will show how to treat mycoplasma infections.

Instructions

• 1

  Realize that mild mycoplasma infections usually resolves on its own and antibiotic treatment is not always necessary. Most cases should resolve within seven to 10 days with treatment.

• 2

  Use oral erythromycin as the drug of choice for mycoplasm infections. Azithromycin, clarithromycin, tetracycline and its analogues are also used effectively. Some of the fluoroquinolones may be effective but are not as potent. However, this class of drugs is active against other classes of bacteria that cause respiratory infections.

• 3

  Expect respiratory tract infections by mycoplasmosis to have longer treatment times than other infections. Most oral and intravenous regimens are seven to 10 days but a 14 to 21 day oral treatment is also appropriate. Mycoplasma pneumonia can be treated with a five day course of oral azithromycin which may be as effective as a 10 day course of erythromycin.

• 4

  Consider treatment with newer drugs like some of the fluoroquinolones and telithromycin. These have shorter treatments as well because of their lower toxicity.

• 5

  Relieve systemic symptoms such as coughing, fever and headaches with cough suppressants, antipyretics and analgesics, respectively.