Mycoplasma actually refers to over 100 organisms that can cause human infection, but when most people refer to this bacterium, they are referencing the very common mycoplasma pneumoniae, which results in an illness called atypical or walking pneumonia. This illness is uncomfortable, but generally less severe than other forms of pneumonia. Treatment is variable, ranging from the "do-nothing" approach to treating with specific forms of antibiotics. When mycoplasma treatment does include antibiotics, they must be specifically selected because many ordinary types don’t target these bacteria very well due to their structure. Other forms of treatment are supportive in nature and could help alleviate symptoms of discomfort.
There is no single best mycoplasma treatment. Doctors assess each patient and determine which treatments are most appropriate. Some physicians prefer to let a patient with mild walking pneumonia simply recover. On the other hand, this form of bacteria can rapidly spread to other people and it can cause some people to become very ill. Preference may be to attack mycoplasma with antibiotics, instead.
Since mycoplasma doesn’t have cell walls, it won’t respond to antibiotics that target cell wall structures. Prescribing any of the cephalosporins or common drugs like penicillin and ampicillin are inappropriate. Instead, when mycoplasma treatment is principally through use of antibiotics to shorten infection time, doctors must turn to other groups of drugs.
Mycoplasma treatment medicines that appear to be most effective include erythromycin, and drugs like Zithromax® which is related. Doxycycline is also an adequate choice. In most cases, these drugs help more quickly resolve infection, which can increase patient comfort and lower the risk that infection will be passed to others.
A variety of supportive mycoplasma treatment strategies could also be employed. Walking pneumonia often causes cough and may result in symptoms like tiredness, fever, headache, sore throat, and aching chest from persistent coughing. Over the counter pain relief and fever reducing medicines can be utilized to address headache, soreness, and fever.
The most challenging symptom of atypical pneumonia is the worsening cough, which can exacerbate other things like sore chest and headache. It also may rob people of sleep. Doctors might prescribe cough suppressants as part of mycoplasma treatment, especially for use at night. Codeine cough syrup could be considered, but cough syrups aren’t usually recommended during the day because cough can help clear the lungs of infection.
Home mycoplasma treatment includes rest and adequate nutrition. Drinking plenty of fluids and indulging in “home cures” like chicken soup may be useful. Though this disease may continue for up to six weeks, most people are better in two to three weeks, if they get medical attention right away. Antibiotic mycoplasma treatment, if the right drugs are used, does appear to effectively shorten illness time for most patients, and supportive treatments can increase comfort.
