A Mycoplasma infection is caused by a unique group of bacteria that behave differently from most other germs. These bacteria are among the smallest known, and they can affect your lungs, urinary tract, and reproductive system. Understanding how they spread, what symptoms to watch for, and when to seek care can help protect your health.
What Is a Mycoplasma Infection?
Mycoplasma bacteria belong to a class called Mollicutes. They are unusually tiny and, unlike most bacteria, they have no cell wall. This makes them resistant to common antibiotics like penicillin and cephalosporins.
There are dozens of Mycoplasma species, but two cause most human illness: Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma hominis. A related bacterium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, also causes infection in humans. The remaining species are harmless and live naturally on the mucous membranes of the mouth, vagina, and urethra.
These bacteria are found almost everywhere in nature. They have been isolated from humans, birds, insects, plants, soil, and water. In people, they most often colonise mucous surfaces and can cause long-lasting inflammatory conditions. For more background, see Health Canada’s overview of bacterial infections.
How Does a Mycoplasma Infection Spread?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae spreads through the air. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets carry the bacteria to others nearby. This is why infections happen more often in crowded places like schools, dormitories, and care homes.
Transmission is most common during the colder months of the year. The incubation period — the time between exposure and symptoms — is long, ranging from one to three weeks. Symptoms can then persist for weeks or even months.
Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum spread mainly through sexual contact. They can also pass from a mother to her newborn during delivery. In many cases, people carry these bacteria without knowing it, as there are no obvious symptoms.
Mycoplasma Infection Symptoms to Watch For
Respiratory Symptoms
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a leading cause of what doctors call atypical pneumonia, sometimes nicknamed “walking pneumonia.” It accounts for an estimated 20 to 30 per cent of all community-acquired pneumonia cases. However, about 20 per cent of infected people have no symptoms at all.
The most common presentation is a chest cold or tracheobronchitis. Symptoms include:
Sore throat and dry cough
Headache and chills
Runny nose and general fatigue
Mild fever
Children between three and four years old are now recognised as a higher-risk group, even though this infection was once thought to be rare in young children. In children, respiratory illness often comes with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Serious Complications
In some cases, a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can affect parts of the body beyond the lungs. These complications are less common but important to know about. They include:
Neurological effects: Meningitis, encephalitis, or temporary paralysis. Recovery can be slow, and some patients experience lasting neurological damage.
Heart problems: Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation around the heart).
Skin and mucous membrane changes: Rashes, mouth sores, or eye inflammation.
Blood disorders: Haemolytic anaemia, in which the body destroys its own red blood cells, or clotting problems.
Joint inflammation: Arthritis-like symptoms in some patients.
These complications arise because Mycoplasma bacteria sit very close to host cells. This closeness can trigger the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues by mistake.
Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma Hominis: Urogenital Infections
Symptoms in Women
Ureaplasma urealyticum is found in the genital tract of up to 60 per cent of healthy women with no symptoms. However, under certain conditions — such as a weakened immune system — it can cause problems. These include urinary tract infections (UTIs) and possibly pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Mycoplasma hominis is present in about 20 per cent of healthy women. It can act as an opportunistic pathogen, meaning it causes illness when the body’s defences are lowered. Both Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum have been found in the blood of women who develop fever after childbirth.
Furthermore, research suggests Ureaplasma may play a role in female infertility. It appears to be linked to difficulty conceiving in some cases, though more research is ongoing. Learn more from the World Health Organization’s resources on reproductive health.
Symptoms in Men
In men, Ureaplasma urealyticum can cause urethritis — inflammation of the urethra — along with urinary tract infections. Less commonly, it can lead to prostatitis. There is also evidence that Ureaplasma may impair sperm motility, which could contribute to male infertility.
Mycoplasma hominis can also cause urinary tract infections in men. As with women, many men carry these bacteria without any symptoms at all.
Kidney Stones
One unique feature of Ureaplasma urealyticum is its ability to break down urea. As a result, this process can promote the formation of kidney or bladder stones. If you experience recurrent kidney stones, it may be worth asking your doctor whether Ureaplasma could be a contributing factor.
How Is a Mycoplasma Infection Diagnosed and Treated?
Diagnosis
Diagnosing a Mycoplasma infection can be tricky because symptoms often look like other common illnesses. Your doctor may order blood tests, throat swabs, or urine tests depending on your symptoms. A chest X-ray may be used if pneumonia is suspected.
For urogenital infections, laboratory cultures or PCR tests can detect Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. These tests are typically available through your provincial health plan when ordered by a physician.
Treatment
Because Mycoplasma bacteria lack a cell wall, antibiotics like penicillin do not work against them. Instead, doctors typically prescribe antibiotics from other classes. Common choices include:
Tetracyclines (such as doxycycline)
Macrolides (such as azithromycin or erythromycin)
Fluoroquinolones — sometimes used if other antibiotics fail
Treatment length depends on the type and severity of infection. It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if you feel better sooner. Never stop antibiotics early without talking to your doctor first. For more detail on treatment options, Mayo Clinic offers a helpful guide to atypical pneumonia treatment.
When to See a Doctor
You should see your family doctor or visit a walk-in clinic if you have a cough that lasts more than two or three weeks. A persistent cough with fever, fatigue, or difficulty breathing needs prompt medical attention.
If you experience symptoms of a urinary tract infection — such as burning when you urinate, frequent urination, or pelvic pain — speak to a healthcare provider. The same applies if you and your partner are having trouble conceiving. A Mycoplasma or Ureaplasma infection can sometimes be an overlooked cause of fertility problems.
Seek emergency care right away if you experience chest pain, confusion, severe headache, or difficulty breathing. These could signal a serious complication that needs immediate treatment. Most provincial health plans in Canada cover testing and treatment for these infections when medically necessary.
Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical advice. The information in this article is for general educational purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Mycoplasma infection sexually transmitted?
Some types of Mycoplasma infection, particularly those caused by Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum, can spread through sexual contact. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, on the other hand, spreads through the air and is not a sexually transmitted infection. Using condoms reduces the risk of genital Mycoplasma infections.
Can a Mycoplasma infection go away on its own?
Mild Mycoplasma infections sometimes improve without treatment, but they can persist for weeks or months. Because complications can be serious, it is best to see a doctor if you suspect a Mycoplasma infection. Your doctor can decide whether antibiotics are needed based on your symptoms and test results.
What antibiotic treats a Mycoplasma infection?
Penicillin-based antibiotics do not work against Mycoplasma bacteria because these bacteria have no cell wall. Doctors typically prescribe doxycycline, azithromycin, or erythromycin to treat a Mycoplasma infection. Your doctor will choose the best antibiotic based on your specific situation and any known antibiotic resistance.
Can Mycoplasma cause infertility?
Research suggests that Ureaplasma urealyticum may affect fertility in both men and women. In men, it may slow sperm movement, while in women it has been linked to pelvic inflammatory disease. If you are having difficulty conceiving, talk to your doctor about whether a Mycoplasma or Ureaplasma infection could be a factor.
How is a Mycoplasma infection diagnosed in Canada?
Your family doctor or walk-in clinic can order blood tests, swabs, or urine tests to check for a Mycoplasma infection. PCR testing is considered one of the most accurate methods. These diagnostic tests are generally covered under provincial health plans when a doctor considers them medically necessary.
Is Mycoplasma pneumoniae the same as walking pneumonia?
Yes, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the most common cause of what is informally called “walking pneumonia” or atypical pneumonia. People with this type of Mycoplasma infection often feel unwell but are still able to go about their daily activities. Symptoms include a persistent dry cough, mild fever, headache, and fatigue.
Key Takeaways
A Mycoplasma infection is caused by tiny bacteria with no cell wall, making them resistant to penicillin-type antibiotics.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a leading cause of walking pneumonia and spreads through the air, especially in colder months.
Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum mainly affect the urogenital tract and can spread through sexual contact.
Many people carry these bacteria without any symptoms, but infections can cause serious complications if left untreated.
Treatment involves specific antibiotics such as doxycycline or azithromycin, prescribed by a doctor.
If you have a lingering cough, urinary symptoms, or fertility concerns, speak to your family doctor or visit a walk-in clinic.
Testing and treatment are generally covered by provincial health plans in Canada when medically indicated.
