Mycoplasma genitalium, the little-known sexual disease that could become the new superbug

A little known sexually transmitted disease could become the next superbact, unless people are more attentive, warn experts.

This is Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), an infection that in many cases does not show symptoms but may make some women infertile.

It's easy to switch to high-dose MG, but if it's not treated properly, it can develop antibiotic resistance.

In men, the bacterium MG can cause inflammation ón in the urethra, secretion on the penis and pain while urinating .

In women, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease cause pain and, in some cases, fever and vaginal bleeding.

The form of contagion goes through unprotected sex. The use of condoms can prevent infection.

Bringing condoms (and using them)

MG was first identified by researchers in the UK in the 1980s. It is estimated that it affects between 1% and 2% of population.

Although it does not always give rise to symptoms and that it does not always require medical treatment, the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) thinks that this disease – which many Sometimes it is confused with other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia – this is disturbing.

Therefore, the organization has issued new recommendations, in which it details how to identify the infection and how to treat it.

Until now, there are no standardized tests to diagnose this infection, but for the most part, a genital exudate is done in women and an analysis of Urine in men who have symptoms, or if a sexual partner has been diagnosed with this condition.

Treatment consists of a cycle of a family of antibiotics called macrolides . However, doctors warn that the infection develops resistance to some of these drugs.

For this reason, Peter Greenhouse, an expert on sexually transmitted diseases and a member of BASHH, urged the population to take precautions .

"It is time for the public to learn what is Mycoplasma genitalium ," he said.

"This is one more reason to bring condoms during your summer vacation and, indeed, to use them," he added.

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